Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has leveled serious accusations against current India head coach Gautam Gambhir, alleging his influence in the decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the ODI captaincy. The controversy stems from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointing Shubman Gill as India's new ODI captain on October 4, 2025, replacing Rohit Sharma. This change occurred despite Sharma having led India to victories in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Ajit Agarkar, who assumed the role of Chairman of the Senior Men's Selection Committee on July 4, 2023, and whose tenure was extended until June 2026, was responsible for announcing the change. While official reports indicate that the selection committee, led by Agarkar, kept head coach Gautam Gambhir 'in the loop' during the decision-making process, Tiwary suggests a more direct intervention. In statements reported on January 16, 2026, Tiwary claimed that Gambhir 'fired the gun from his shoulder,' implying that Gambhir indirectly orchestrated the captaincy change through Agarkar. Tiwary expressed a belief that the decision-makers disrespected Rohit Sharma by stripping him of the captaincy, especially given his recent successes and apparent plans to lead India into the 2027 World Cup. Furthermore, Tiwary extended his accusations, also claiming that Gambhir was the 'mastermind' behind the exits of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, painting a picture of deliberate sidelining of senior players. These allegations have ignited a significant debate within the Indian cricket community regarding transparency and influence in team management decisions.