Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has sparked a significant debate in Indian cricket by alleging that current head coach Gautam Gambhir influenced the decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the One Day International (ODI) captaincy. Speaking in January 2026, Tiwary controversially stated that Gambhir 'fired the gun from Ajit Agarkar's shoulder,' implying indirect manipulation of the chief selector's decision-making process. Rohit Sharma's removal as India's ODI captain occurred in October 2025, with Shubman Gill subsequently taking over the leadership role. This change came as a surprise to many, particularly since Rohit Sharma had just led the Indian team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ajit Agarkar, the Chairman of the Senior Men's Selection Committee since July 2023, publicly addressed the captaincy change, explaining it as a strategic transition plan geared towards the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. He also emphasized the impracticality of having multiple captains across different formats. While Agarkar's statements focused on long-term planning, Tiwary's strong accusations have fueled speculation about behind-the-scenes dynamics within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He questioned the cricketing logic behind removing a successful captain and expressed his personal disappointment, stating he had lost interest in watching ODI matches since the decision. Several other former players, including Mohammed Kaif, have also criticized the timing and handling of Rohit Sharma's captaincy removal. Numerous credible Indian news outlets have widely reported Manoj Tiwary's allegations, highlighting the ongoing discussion surrounding leadership changes in Indian cricket.