Tiwary Criticizes Gambhir Over Senior Players’ Retirements
"Gautam Gambhir is accused of pushing senior players to retire early to reduce their influence and avoid having his decisions questioned."
"Ex-India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has criticized Gautam Gambhir, claiming the new head coach is creating an environment that pressures senior players to leave the team. His comments refer to the recent retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Ashwin retired during India’s tour of Australia last year, while Rohit and Kohli stepped away from Test cricket in May 2025, just weeks before the England tour."
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"In an interview with InsideSport, Tiwary claimed that Gambhir pushed senior players into early retirement to limit their influence and prevent them from questioning his decisions."
"‘If senior players like Ashwin or Rohit are in the team, they have far more experience than the head coach or staff and will question decisions they don’t agree with. It seems Gambhir ensured these players weren’t around,’ Tiwary said."
"‘Since Gambhir became head coach, I’ve noticed many controversies, which aren’t good for Indian cricket. During his tenure, Ashwin retired, followed by Rohit and Virat. There have also been sudden squad changes, with players directly put into the starting XI. Overall, Gambhir hasn’t been consistent,’ he added."
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"Tiwary also praised Rohit and Virat for their contributions to Indian cricket. ‘The environment and pressure around these players have been intense, but Rohit and Virat have been exceptional for Indian cricket. They’ve taken the team to new heights and have given their heart and soul to the game,’ he said."
Concerns Raised About Gambhir’s Decisions Ahead of 2027 World Cup
"The 39-year-old also warned that it would be a ‘very poor decision’ if Gambhir excludes Rohit and Virat from plans for the 2027 World Cup."
"‘If these players feel their reputation is affected or that they aren’t wanted in the dressing room, they might think about retiring. I believe they still want to play. Gambhir won’t take such a drastic step because in white-ball cricket, Rohit and Virat have been exceptional. Excluding them from World Cup plans would be a very poor decision,’ he added."