In a blunt and now-viral verdict, former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to relieve Shubman Gill of his role as India’s ODI captain and reappoint Rohit Sharma, warning that the current leadership experiment could harm India’s 2027 World Cup ambitions.
Gill, who took over the captaincy in October 2025, has led India in two ODI series — first in Australia and recently at home against New Zealand — but the team has lost both. The most recent defeat, a historic home series loss to New Zealand, intensified scrutiny on his leadership.
Tiwary’s Hard-Hitting Take
Speaking to InsideSport, Tiwary didn’t mince words:
“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…”
He stressed that the selectors perhaps erred in moving on from Rohit Sharma — a captain with a track record of ICC silverware — arguing that the veteran could have changed the outcome in the New Zealand series.
“Rohit is not a little better than Shubman, but a lot better.”
“…If Rohit becomes the captain, then there is an 85 to 90 per cent chance of winning the World Cup.”
What This Means for India
Gill remains one of India’s brightest batting talents and also captains the Test side, but critics say he lacks the on-field tactical nuance and experience that Rohit brings. Tiwary’s remarks reflect a growing debate among former players and fans over leadership priorities as the World Cup approaches.
Whether the BCCI will act on these calls remains uncertain — but with fewer than two years until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the captaincy conversation in Indian cricket is hotter than ever.
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