Manoj Tiwary Demands BCCI Sack Shubman Gill as ODI Captain, Bring Back Rohit Sharma

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has called on the BCCI to immediately remove Shubman Gill from the ODI captaincy and reinstate Rohit Sharma, describing the current setup as a misstep that risks India’s chances at the 2027 ODI World Cup. Tiwary’s strong critique follows Gill’s underwhelming record since assuming the white-ball leadership role in late 2025, with India suffering defeats in both ODI series he has captained so far. The team lost away to Australia in Gill’s debut series and recently fell at home to New Zealand, marking the first bilateral ODI series defeat against the Kiwis on Indian soil.

Tiwary, speaking to InsideSport, questioned the rationale behind replacing Rohit Sharma, who had guided the side to major successes including the Champions Trophy title. He argued that Rohit’s tactical acumen and experience would have produced markedly different results, particularly in the recent New Zealand rubber where fielding errors and failure to capitalise on starts proved decisive. “What was the need to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy?” Tiwary asked, asserting that the team was moving in a positive direction under the veteran skipper.

Highlighting the urgency of course correction, Tiwary estimated an 85-90% probability of winning the 2027 World Cup with Rohit at the helm compared to the present arrangement. He stressed that experiments with leadership should not come at the cost of focusing on major ICC tournaments. Tiwary’s comments reflect growing concern among former players and fans over the transition in India’s limited-overs captaincy, especially as Gill continues to face scrutiny for his on-field decisions and team management.

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While this remains an opinion piece from a respected former cricketer and not an official directive from the BCCI, it adds to the mounting debate surrounding Gill’s early tenure. Rohit Sharma, who has scaled back his white-ball commitments, has not publicly addressed the possibility of a return to captaincy. The coming months will likely see continued discussion on India’s ODI strategy as preparations intensify for future global events.

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