‘Hardest job in India after PM’s’ Shashi Tharoor praises Gambhir:India legend responds ‘truth about coach’s unlimited authority will become clear’

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that he does not hold ‘unlimited authority’ in the team while responding to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s appreciation. Tharoor, ahead of the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I, shared a selfie with Gambhir on X and penned an appreciation post for him, saying that he had the “hardest job in India after the PM’s!” “In Nagpur, enjoyed a good frank discussion with my old friend @GautamGambhir, the man with the hardest job in India after the PM’s! He is being second-guessed by millions daily but stays calm walks on undaunted. A word of appreciation for his quiet determination and able leadership. Wishing him all success — starting today!” he wrote on 21 January. ‘When the dust settles, truth logic about a coach’s supposedly unlimited authority will become clear’: Gautam Gambhir Late on 21 January, Gambhir responded to Tharoor’s post, through which he appeared to answer his critics and those who have felt that he holds unlimited authority within the team. Gambhir’s tenure as India head coach has been much-talked-about since he took over in 2024. The 44-year-old also said that the truth about a ‘coach’s unlimited authority’ will become clear ‘when the dust settles’. Clearing the air around some widely-believed perceptions about his coaching tenure so far, Gambhir wrote, “Thanks a lot Dr @ShashiTharoor! When the dust settles, truth logic about a coach’s supposedly “unlimited authority” will become clear. Till then, I’m amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best!” The IPL-winning mentor also stated that he was amused to have been pitted against his own, potentially hinting at talks of his alleged rift with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India head coach so far Gambhir was appointed head coach of Team India after Rahul Dravid vacated the role in 2024, following the T20 World Cup victory. While India have been impressive in white-ball cricket, winning the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup trophies under his tutelage, the national team’s performance in Tests have been very poor. The former cricketer’s tenure has come under the scanner after India suffered home Test series defeats to New Zealand (2024) and South Africa (2025). Recently, India also suffered a first-ever home ODI series defeat to New Zealand. Gambhir, however, would look to keep his focus on the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup ahead, a tournament which is set to be a crucial one in potentially determining his future at the helm.