‘Man With Hardest Job After PM’s’: Tharoor’s Shout-Out To Gambhir Amid Criticism For NZ ODI Loss

Last Updated:January 21, 2026, 6:59 PM IST

Tharoor’s remarks at a time when Gambhir is facing public ire following India’s first-ever ODI series defeat at home to New Zealand.

Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday came out in support of Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir. (X)

Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday heaped praise on Indian cricket team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and dubbed him as “the man with the hardest job in India after the PM’s.”

Tharoor came out in support of Gambhir and praised his leadership and composure amid mounting criticism following recent ODI series loss to New Zealand.

In a post on X, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said that said that Gambhir was being “second-guessed by millions daily” but continued to remain calm and undaunted.

“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 said in a post on X ahead of the opening T20I between India and New Zealand.

The Men in Blue are set to face Kiwis in a five-match T20I series beginning Wednesday. The series will be Suryakumar Yadav-led India’s final assignment before they begin the defence of their T20 World Cup title at home.

Tharoor’s remarks at a time when Gambhir is facing public ire following India’s first-ever ODI series defeat at home to New Zealand. After winning the opening match, India lost the second and third ODIs to concede the series. It marked the second home series loss to the Kiwis in recent times, after New Zealand’s 3–0 whitewash of India in a Test series in 2024.

Following the third ODI defeat at Indore’s Holkar Stadium, chants critical of Gambhir were allegedly raised by a section of fans during the post-match presentation ceremony. Discontent has also been visible on social media, with criticism directed at the team’s performances and the management’s handling of senior players.

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