Rohit Sharma was recently removed as India's ODI captain.
Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary has accused India head coach Gautam Gambhir for ruining the current team culture, saying that far too many controversial things have unfolded ever since the latter assumed charge.
Recently, Rohit Sharma was removed as India’s ODI captain and the baton was passed over to Shubman Gill. This change of guard has stirred a debate on whether Rohit and Virat Kohli will be in the squad for the 2027 World Cup.
Notably, both batting stalwarts had announced their Test retirements in May this year, just days ahead of the selection of India’s five-Test tour to England.
Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also bid adieu to international cricket last year, midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Speaking to InsideSport, Tiwary alleged that Gambhir has forced the retirements of these players while also claiming the current coach doesn't like his ideas being questioned.
“If the senior players are there, if Ashwin is there, if Rohit is there or 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,” Tiwary said.
“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 added.
However, Tiwary reckons Gambhir would possibly not sideline Rohit and Kohli from ODIs, considering the duo's outstanding record in the format.
"I believe 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. They have taken Indian cricket to new heights. The players who give their heart and soul, we have seen they have given their everything," Tiwary stated.
“If these players feel that things are affecting their image and they are no longer wanted in the dressing room, then they might consider retiring. I believe they want to play. I think Gambhir won't take this big a call of not having these two individuals because, in the white-ball format, no one can deny the fact that these two have been outstanding. It would be a really poor decision if Gautam doesn't include these two in the scheme of things for the World Cup,” he remarked.