Gautam Gambhir Accused Of Forcing Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ashwin Into Retirement

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has launched a scathing attack on head coach Gautam Gambhir, alleging that he played a key role in pushing senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin into retirement. Tiwary’s remarks come shortly after Rohit was removed as India’s ODI captain ahead of the three-match series against Australia, starting October 19.

Both Kohli and Rohit had announced their retirement from T20Is following India’s triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the USA and West Indies. However, their Test retirements were far more abrupt. After disappointing performances against New Zealand and Australia, both batters suddenly stepped away from red-ball cricket ahead of India’s tour of England earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ashwin also called time on his Test career midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

“If the senior players are there, if Ashwin is there, if Rohit is there or if Rohit is there, then these guys have played so much cricket, these guys are established much more than the head coach or the other staff, these guys will raise questions if they don't agree to a point. You just made sure that these guys are not there, basically,” Tiwary told InsideSport.

“I have observed that since this coach took on the role, a lot of controversies have arisen. Many things that are happening are not good for Indian cricket. I believe that since the time he has been the head coach, Ashwin has taken a retirement. Rohit and Virat have also done so. Other things have happened, such as players being unexpectedly added to the squad and then being straight into the starting XI. We have seen that Gambhir has not been consistent.”

Both Kohli and Rohit remain active in ODIs and have publicly expressed their desire to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Neither player has featured in any form of competitive cricket since the IPL 2025, with their last international outing coming in the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

By the time of the next World Cup, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40, but both have been named in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series in Australia. However, their long-term futures will likely depend on maintaining form and fitness. Tiwary acknowledged both players’ remarkable contributions to Indian cricket and warned against sidelining them.

"I believe the circumstances that have been created, the atmosphere that has been created, the pressure that is there on these players, I believe Rohit and Virat have been outstanding servants of Indian cricket. They have taken Indian cricket to new heights. The players who give their heart and soul, we have seen they have given their everything," said Tiwary.

“If these players feel that things are affecting their image and they are no longer wanted in the dressing room, then they might consider retiring. I believe they want to play. I think Gambhir won't take this big a call of not having these two individuals because, in the white-ball format, no one can deny the fact that these two have been outstanding. It would be a really poor decision if Gautam doesn't include these two in the scheme of things for the World Cup.”

Both Rohit and Kohli continue to post impressive numbers in ODIs. Since 2023, Rohit has scored 1,714 runs in 37 innings at an average of 48.97 and a strike rate of 117.2, while Kohli has accumulated 1,710 runs in 34 innings, averaging 61.07 with a strike rate of 95.8.