As the Indian cricket team sees massive makeshift be it in terms of the leadership role to the young players replacing senior veterans, former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary made a massive claim. It is to be noted
that after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is last year after T20 World Cup victory, Suryakumar Yadav was handed the leadership role in the shortest format, whereas Shubman Gill took over the Test reigns after the duo announced retirement in May 2025 from the longest format.
But recently, despite the senior veterans continuing to remain active in the 50-over format, Rohit Sharma was snubbed of the captaincy and Shubman Gill was rewarded the role which Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar claimed to be a move as India looks at an all-format captain. But Manoj Tiwary in his recent interaction with InsideSport, made a shocking revelation, while blaming Gautam Gambhir of this transition.
Gautam Gambhir ensured Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin are not in the team
In a recent interaction, Tiwary said, “If the senior players are there, if Ashwin is there, if Rohit is there, then these guys have played so much cricket, these guys are established much more than the head coach or the other staff, these guys will raise questions if they don't agree to a point. You just made sure that these guys are not there, basically.” He further added, “I have observed that since this coach took on the role, a lot of controversies have arisen. Many things that are happening are not good for Indian cricket.”
“I believe that since the time he has been the head coach, Ashwin has taken a retirement. Rohit and Virat have also done so. Other things have happened, such as players being unexpectedly added to the squad and then being straight into the starting XI. We have seen that Gambhir has not been consistent,” he continued while hitting out at the former Indian batter for veterans retirement in recent past.
The former India international also believes that “the circumstances that have been created, the atmosphere that has been created, the pressure that is there on these players, I believe Rohit and Virat have been outstanding servants of Indian cricket.” While R Ashwin has retired from international cricket, Rohit and Kohli continue to play ODIs whereas Ravindra Jadeja remains active in Test and ODI cricket.
