Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has ignited a fresh debate regarding the sudden leadership changes within the Indian cricket team. He specifically pointed toward Head Coach Gautam Gambhir as the driving force behind the move. Speaking exclusively to Sports Tak, Tiwary suggested that Gambhir likely pushed Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar to remove Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain. This occurred immediately following the team's triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Manoj Tiwary Links Gambhir to Rohit Sharma's Captaincy Exit
Rohit Sharma had already retired from T20 Internationals after the 2024 World Cup win and stepped away from Test cricket in May. However, he still maintained a strong desire to lead the side until the 2027 World Cup. The selection committee shocked fans when they named Shubman Gill as the new captain for the subsequent Australian ODI series in October.
Tiwary emphasised that Agarkar is tough enough to make his own calls. However, he believed the way this transition went down pointed to outside influence. He used a sharp metaphor, wondering if someone used Agarkar's shoulder to fire the gun. This implied that the coach’s tactical plans forced the selector's hand.
So, Tiwary argued that a head coach naturally has a big say in such massive decisions. This meant Gambhir and Agarkar both shared responsibility for this controversial change. The former KKR player noted that Agarkar usually works directly. However, the logic behind replacing a winning captain suggested that the management chose a new tactical path over proven success.
“I don't know what the main cause is. But knowing Ajit Agarkar, he is a personality. He is a decision maker. He will not take a step back in taking such steps. But whether he was influenced by someone to shoot the gun from his shoulder is something we need to look at. A lot of things happen behind the scenes, which makes 1+1 2. Maybe the decision was made by the chief selector, and he was very upfront about it. Naturally, the coach’s inputs must be there. You cannot make the decision on your own. Both are equally responsible for whatever decision was made,” Tiwary exclusively told Sports Tak.
Analysis of the Leadership Transition
This specific incident shows the cold approach to planning for the future that defines cricket today. By making Shubman Gill captain immediately after a big tournament win, the management sent a loud message. They care more about preparing for the long haul than keeping things stable or being sentimental.
Rohit Sharma clearly felt his form was good enough to keep going until the next big tournament. However, Gambhir seemingly envisions a squad built entirely around younger energy well before 2027. This decision forces Gill to get used to the pressure of leadership while the team is still winning. The management avoided handing him the reins during a crisis, giving him a safer space to find his feet.
READ MORE: IND vs NZ: Shreyas Iyer set for a big record in the second ODI and set to surpass Virat Kohli?
On top of that, the partnership between Agarkar and Gambhir rests on a shared aggressive mindset. Agarkar has often shown he is willing to drop senior players if he thinks they won't be useful in the future. Similarly, Gambhir’s past suggests he likes leaders who can build a team's culture over a long time.
While Tiwary is right about the coach's influence, the move likely shows a joint plan to stop the team from getting too old all at once. Even so, removing a captain who just won the Champions Trophy puts massive pressure on Gill. He must get results right away, as fans and critics will definitely compare his start to Rohit's successful exit.
