Former India captain Rohit Sharma was recently removed as the ODI captain, even though he led India to win the ICC Champions Trophy. This decision surprised many fans and experts.
The official announcement was made by Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, former cricketer Manoj Tiwary believes that India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir may have influenced this decision.
What Manoj Tiwary Said
Manoj Tiwary openly questioned whether Ajit Agarkar acted alone.
According to him:
- Ajit Agarkar is known as a strong and bold decision-maker.
- But such a big decision cannot be taken without discussions.
- The head coach’s opinion always matters in team selection.
- Both the selector and coach share responsibility.
In simple words, Tiwary feels that Gambhir may not have officially announced the decision, but his input likely played a role behind the scenes.
Read Also: Rohit Sharma Century List in All Format
Why Was Rohit Sharma Removed?
The selection committee said the change was made to prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Since Rohit is 38 years old, many believed he might not play in the next World Cup.
However, Rohit proved:
- He is still fit
- He is scoring runs consistently
- He is motivated to play at the highest level
This made his removal feel sudden and unfair to many.
New Captain Announcement
India has now appointed Shubman Gill as the new ODI captain. The move is seen as a step toward building a young team for the future.
Tiwary’s Strong Reaction
Manoj Tiwary was clearly unhappy with how things unfolded. He said:
- Team selection has lacked consistency.
- Removing a captain who won major ICC trophies felt unnecessary.
- The decision showed a lack of respect for Rohit’s contribution.
He also admitted that this decision made him lose interest in watching ODI cricket.
Read more: Rohit Sharma Record List
Rohit Sharma’s Record as Captain
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| ICC Trophies Won | T20 World Cup & Champions Trophy |
| Batting Records | 3 Double Centuries in ODIs |
| Playing Style | Selfless, aggressive, team-first |
| Leadership | Proven match-winner and calm captain |
According to Tiwary, removing such a leader cannot be explained by “cricketing logic” alone.
Rohit Sharma’s removal as captain has raised many questions. While the BCCI and selectors may be planning for the future, many believe that the decision ignored Rohit’s current form and leadership value.
Manoj Tiwary’s comments have added fuel to the debate, especially with the suggestion that Gautam Gambhir may have influenced the call. Whether right or wrong, this decision has left fans divided and disappointed.
Indian cricket now moves forward under new leadership, but the discussion around Rohit Sharma’s captaincy exit is far from over.
