ODI Captaincy Debate Heats Up as Experts Push for Rohit Over Gill
Manoj Tiwary says leadership rethink needed as India eye 2027 World Cup
India, Jan 23 : Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has strongly questioned Shubman Gill’s continuation as India’s ODI captain, urging the BCCI to reinstate Rohit Sharma to lead the team with an eye on the 2027 World Cup.
Gill, who took over the ODI captaincy from Rohit in October 2025, has endured a difficult start to his tenure. Under his leadership, India have lost both ODI series played so far first against Australia away and then at home against New Zealand. The recent New Zealand series loss marked India’s first ever ODI series defeat to the Kiwis on home soil, intensifying scrutiny around Gill’s leadership.
Speaking to InsideSport, Tiwary said the board must act swiftly to correct course while there is still time. He stressed that leadership decisions should be driven by long-term World Cup planning rather than short-term experimentation.
Tiwary argued that Rohit Sharma’s experience and proven track record make him a far stronger option to guide the team through crucial tournaments. He believes the outcome against New Zealand would have been different had Rohit been in charge, citing India’s Champions Trophy success under his leadership as evidence of stability and progress.
According to Tiwary, reinstating Rohit as ODI captain would significantly improve India’s chances of building a settled unit capable of winning the 2027 World Cup, adding that leadership continuity remains key in high-pressure global events.
