Manoj Tiwary comes up with a huge statement for India ODI captain Shubman Gill

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has strongly suggested that Shubman Gill should be removed as India’s ODI captain, urging the BCCI to reinstate Rohit Sharma in the role. Gill took over the leadership duties in October 2025 after replacing Rohit, but his tenure has so far produced disappointing results. Under his captaincy, India have failed to win either of the two ODI series they have contested, raising concerns about the direction of the team in the format. Gill’s first assignment as ODI captain came during the tour of Australia, where India endured a series defeat. He then missed the home ODI series against South Africa, further limiting his exposure and experience as leader.

Shubman Gill should be removed as India ODI captain?

Most recently, India suffered another setback with a series loss against New Zealand, once again under Gill’s captaincy. The defeat intensified scrutiny of his leadership, with several decisions coming under criticism during the course of the series. Speaking in a recent interaction, Tiwary stressed that the BCCI must “course correct” without delay. He believes reinstating Rohit Sharma would provide stability and clarity as India begin long-term preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, rather than persisting with an experiment that has yet to deliver results.

"Yes, absolutely. That's what I'm suggesting because there's still time to course correct. It's about the World Cup. It's not just about a bilateral series or a random tournament we are going to play," stated former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary. 

Manoj Tiwary further argued that the outcome of the ODI series against New Zealand might have been very different had Rohit Sharma been leading the side. He pointed out that India’s back-to-back defeats in the series resulted in a historic setback, as it marked the first time the team had ever lost a home ODI series to New Zealand. According to Tiwary, such a result underlined the importance of experienced leadership, especially in pressure situations where tactical clarity and calm decision-making are crucial.

The former India batter did not hold back in his assessment, stating that Rohit is “far better” than Shubman Gill when it comes to captaincy. Tiwary believes Rohit’s vast experience, game awareness, and proven track record give India a significant edge, particularly in major tournaments. He emphasized that Rohit has successfully guided India through high-stakes events in the past and understands how to manage players, conditions, and match situations more effectively. 

Tiwary also expressed confidence that India’s chances of lifting the World Cup would be stronger under Rohit’s leadership. In his view, with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, India cannot afford uncertainty at the helm. He feels that reinstating Rohit would bring stability and direction, allowing the team to build a settled core and approach the tournament with greater confidence and cohesion.

"What was the need to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy? I'm pretty sure that if Rohit were leading even today in the ODIs, it would have been a different result (New Zealand series) altogether. Because when he won the Champions Trophy, I think the team was going forward in the right direction," Tiwary added. 

"Rohit is not a little better than Shubman, but a lot better, currently. That's why he's such a successful captain. You can win it (the World Cup) with Shubman's captaincy, but I'm suggesting comparing the captaincy of both. If Rohit becomes the captain, what is the percentage chance of winning? And if Shubman leads, what is the percentage chance of winning? I think everyone will say that if Rohit is the captain, then there is an 85 to 90 per cent chance of winning the World Cup," he concluded.