Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir takes veiled 'NRI' jibe at Sunil Gavaskar

In response to some severe criticisms from a former Test star, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir hardly pulled back punches as he accused the legend of treating Indian cricket as 'personal fiefdom'.

Though Gambhir didn't take names, he dropped enough hints to make it obvious that the target of his outburst was a former India skipper from Mumbai, who has been critical of him since his playing days.

"There are some people who have been sitting in the commentary box for 20-25 years. They questioned everything I did. They think that Indian cricket is their property. Unfortunately, Indian cricket is not someone's personal property. It is the identity of 140 crore Indians and it will remain that way," said Gambhir during an interview.

Most telling was Gambhir's NRI comment, where he noted that some people earn in India but live abroad, dodging taxes. The jab appeared clearly aimed at someone with ties abroad, hinting at former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.

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"These people have raised questions about my coaching, my records, concussions (when he left 2011 Tour of England after a head injury), to distribution of Champions Trophy prize money. I don't need to tell anybody where I have spent money and where I have invested. But this country must know such players are NRIs who earn in India and take the money outside. I don't immigrate at 11:55 to spend 180 days...I am an Indian. I will never become NRI to save tax," he added.