Nagpur buzzed with cricket anticipation as Congress heavyweight Shashi Tharoor linked up with Gautam Gambhir, the man at the helm of India’s cricket resurgence. Just before the Black Caps arrived for a five-T20I showdown at the New VCA Stadium, Tharoor spotlighted Gambhir’s Herculean task.

On X, Tharoor posted a snapshot of their meet-up, dubbing Gambhir ‘the person doing the hardest job in India after the Prime Minister.’ As former teammates and long-time acquaintances, their discussion delved into the high-stakes world of coaching Team India.

Gambhir endures non-stop public critique, Tharoor observed, with fans and pundits offering opinions on his every move. Yet, the ex-opener handles it with remarkable poise. ‘He faces constant public criticism daily, but remains composed and pushes forward undaunted,’ Tharoor wrote.

Praising Gambhir’s tranquil yet firm command, Tharoor wished him luck for the series starting Wednesday. This T20I series isn’t just about bilateral bragging rights; it’s a key stepping stone to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Fresh off their 2024 victory, India eyes a historic double.

Tharoor’s tribute paints a vivid picture of Gambhir’s role: steering a cricket-obsessed nation through triumphs and trials, under a spotlight rivaled only by the nation’s top executive. As the series unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Gambhir’s cool-headed strategy delivers another chapter of glory.