What started as a note of support from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir turned into an online debate after the latter’s response indicated problems of power, responsibility, and team selection.

Tharoor’s tweet was intended to bring out the considerable investigation that accompanies the leadership of the Indian cricket team, which is among the most stressful jobs in sports. Gambhir expressed his gratitude for the MP’s comments but then immediately started talking about “the dust settling” and the coach’s “unlimited authority,” which resulted in differing opinions on social media.

While many fans took the remark as a veiled comment on the selection in India, others opined that Gambhir does not have the final say in team matters. This view was supported as it was in accordance with the long-standing practice of Indian cricket where the authority is distributed among selectors, administrators, and coaches.

However, a louder section of critics demanded clearer ownership. A number of users asserted that the head coach should step forward and take the blame, pointing at the recent outcomes and claiming that it is the authority who decides performance finally. Others ridiculed the delay of the statement, claiming that such comments only fuel speculation around the key tournaments.

Gambhir’s supporters backed the coach, saying he is often evaluated like a superhero who has to manage all aspects of the team — ultra-selective from the pairs to the retirements — even though the actions are much more complicated. They interpreted his post as an alert that even though the coach is the public figure, he is not the only one who decides.

Doubters, on the other hand, saw the remark as a defensive action for him to get out of the criticism. Some characterized it as an unnecessary communication during a delicate period, while others wondered whether it created less accountability at the upper level.

In between all the fuss, there was still a group of supporters that had very simple expectations: they wanted to see the results instead of hearing the rhetoric. The demand for “no more explanations, just victory” perfectly expressed the mood with many asking Gambhir to let performances speak as India gets ready for the big tournaments.