Former India star accuses Gambhir of influencing selectors in Rohit Sharma’s removal as ODI captain

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has stirred debate by suggesting that head coach Gautam Gambhir may have played an indirect role in Rohit Sharma being relieved of India’s ODI captaincy. According to Tiwary, Gambhir could have influenced chief selector Ajit Agarkar in taking the call, a move he believes showed a lack of respect towards Rohit’s contributions as leader.

Rohit had already stepped away from T20 Internationals in June 2024 and retired from Test cricket in May last year, but he remained a key figure in the ODI setup. With an eye on the 2027 World Cup, Rohit was reportedly focused on maintaining peak fitness and form in the 50-over format. However, when India announced their squad for the ODI series against Australia in October, Shubman Gill was named the new captain, effectively ending Rohit’s tenure. The decision surprised many, especially since Rohit had just led India to the ICC Champions Trophy title in his final outing as captain.

While Tiwary acknowledged Agarkar’s reputation as a firm decision-maker, he felt the choice could not have been made in isolation. He argued that major calls of this nature are rarely taken without consultation and that the coach’s perspective would inevitably factor in.

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“I know Ajit Agarkar well. He is decisive and strong-minded. But such a big decision cannot be taken by one person alone. Whether someone else guided or influenced him is something worth considering. A lot happens behind closed doors. The selectors and the coach are both accountable for the outcome,” Tiwary said during a recent interaction.

Tiwary also admitted that Rohit’s removal as captain has dampened his interest in India’s ODI matches, even with stalwarts like Virat Kohli still in the side. He observed a visible change in Rohit’s on-field demeanor, noting that the usually expressive skipper now appears more subdued, a contrast to the fiery leader who once delivered the famous “garden boys” remark.

Questioning the rationale behind the decision, Tiwary said it was difficult to understand why Rohit’s intent or leadership was doubted. While he accepted that a leadership transition to Gill was bound to happen at some point, he felt it could have been managed more sensitively perhaps by allowing Rohit to continue as captain for a little longer, at least until the New Zealand ODI series.