Gambhir accused of influencing Agarkar's decision to remove Rohit as ODI captain
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has accused head coach Gautam Gambhir of influencing chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision to remove Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain, saying Gambhir may have “fired the gun from Agarkar’s shoulder”. The selection committee replaced Rohit with Shubman Gill ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, a move that shocked many since Rohit had just led India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Tiwary questions who pulled the strings
Speaking to Sports Today, Manoj Tiwary said that while Ajit Agarkar has a strong personality and is capable of making tough calls independently, such a major decision could not have been made in isolation. “Perhaps the decision was made by the chief selector, and he was upfront about it, but the coach’s input must have been there. You cannot make such a decision in isolation; both are equally responsible,” Tiwary explained.
Tiwary suggested that Agarkar may have been influenced by someone else to make the call, hinting strongly at Gambhir’s behind-the-scenes role. He also felt that BCCI officials like then-secretary Jay Shah, who later moved to the ICC, should have intervened to prevent the decision.
A Champions Trophy winner stripped of captaincy
Rohit Sharma’s removal as ODI captain came as a shock because he had just led India to ICC Champions Trophy glory in his final match as skipper. The 38-year-old had retired from T20Is in June 2024 and Tests in May 2025 but was performing strongly in ODIs and seemed determined to compete in the 2027 World Cup.
When India’s squad for the Australia ODI series was announced in October 2025, Shubman Gill was named the new captain, with Rohit and Virat Kohli included as senior batters. The selection committee, headed by Agarkar and working in coordination with Gambhir and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, said the change was part of long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Tiwary calls decision disrespectful and illogical
Manoj Tiwary did not hold back in criticizing how the entire situation was handled, calling it disrespectful to a cricketer who has given so much to fans worldwide. “When a T20 World Cup-winning and Champions Trophy-winning captain is removed and replaced by someone new, it feels unnecessary. Having played with Rohit, I feel a connection to him and disliked how this panned out,” Tiwary said.
He questioned the cricketing logic behind doubting Rohit’s longevity, pointing out that a player with three double-centuries and such a selfless mindset should not have been removed from captaincy. “Doubting his ability was a mistake. Removing him from the captaincy cannot be justified by cricketing logic alone,” Tiwary argued.
Gambhir-Tiwary rivalry adds fuel to fire
The controversy gained extra attention because of the well-known rivalry between Manoj Tiwary and Gautam Gambhir, which dates back to their playing days. Tiwary’s comments about Gambhir’s alleged influence on Rohit’s sacking have therefore been viewed through that lens as well, though he maintained that his criticism was based on principle rather than personal animosity.