The dispute between Gautam Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary occurred in 2015, when the two collided on the field during a Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Bengal at the Arun Jaitley Stadium (then Feroz Shah Kotla). The situation became increasingly tense as the two former teammates of the Kolkata Knight Riders and India nearly collided in the center of the pitch, each flinging disparaging remarks at the other. Gambhir and Tiwary have maintained an antagonistic rapport ever since. Tiwary continued to criticize Gambhir, his coaching, and his temperament, even after a decade, recalling how the India head coach had threatened him during their time at KKR.
Nevertheless, Gambhir went after former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, a fact that is not widely known. Gambhir, as Tiwary recounts, derided Ganguly while he was teasing Tiwary. Dada was informed of Gambhir’s comments by Tiwary, who is recognized for his close relationship with Ganguly. Ganguly responded with his typical class and composure, in accordance with his gentlemanly temperament.
“I recall that Sourav Ganguly had recently joined CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) when he was consistently abusing.” He was also disparaging him. He uttered phrases such as “Woh apna jack laga ke aa gaya.” Do you have any questions? I will be happy to help you. (He employed his sources to achieve his current position, and you, too, followed him? You are also engaging in such behavior. Dada responded with the phrase “theek hai” (It’s good) when I informed him. It was my responsibility to communicate it to him. It is evident that Gambhir has an emotion management issue. In an interview with The Lallantop, Tiwary stated, “There is no possibility of us conversing or convening after that day.”
Gambhir informed me, “Bahar mil… batata hu.”
Gambhir’s suspicion that Tiwary was deliberately postponing the game with only 40 minutes remaining in the match led to the incident. Gambhir immediately initiated a series of verbal abuses, which did not set well with the Bengal batter. Tiwary also asserts that Gambhir issued him a challenge to a physical altercation subsequent to the match, which resulted in a significant deterioration in their relationship.
“I have never heard anyone make such disparaging remarks.” It is imperative that you do not tolerate any form of maltreatment directed at your mother. I am not a person who is capable of silently managing abuse. I inquired of him, “Gauti bhai, why are you speaking in this manner?” Subsequently, the event concluded. Then, I lost my composure. He stated, “I will humiliate you; meet me in the evening.” I inquired, “Why is it evening?” We should proceed immediately. Delhi was the location of the match. No player has ever addressed me in that manner. Tiwary further stated that all media personnel in attendance were aware of the entirety of his speech.
“The umpire intervened and also pushed him aside.” Then, the over concluded, and I found myself at the non-striker’s end. He returned to the field in the middle of the game and began to verbally abuse me once more. Umpires are limited in their abilities. He is a significant figure, and they are concerned that he may leverage his power to their disadvantage.