'Toxic' Gautam Gambhir forced Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin into retirement!! India star's shocking revelation

Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Manoj Tiwary launched a fierce attack on the current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, accusing him of breaking the very spirit of the dressing room. Tiwary claimed that ever since Gautam Gambhir became head coach, the Indian cricket team’s atmosphere and culture have changed in a bad way, and many shocking things have happened.

His accusations came after Rohit Sharma was replaced by Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain. This sudden change sparked a huge debate among fans and former cricketers. Now, many are wondering whether the iconic duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will still be part of India’s plans for the ICC World Cup 2027.

Manoj Tiwary accuses Gautam Gambhir of breaking team spirit in Indian dressing room

Rohit and Virat are set to make a comeback to international cricket on the Australia tour, having last played for India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier this year, the iconic batters announced their retirement from Test cricket after a disappointing tour of Australia.

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Before their retirement, Ravichandran Ashwin had retired last year in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia from the international arena. These sudden retirements raised questions about Gautam Gambhir's style of leadership.

Meanwhile, Manoj Tiwary said that senior players like Ashwin and Rohit have far more experience than Gautam Gambhir and staff and would question anything they disagree with. And that's the reason the team management ensured these senior players were no longer around the team.

They just made sure that Virat, Rohit, and Ashwin are not there: Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary was quoted as saying by InsideSport: “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 much more established than the head coach or the other staff, and these guys will raise questions if they don't agree to a point. You just made sure that these guys are not there, basically.”

He also said that Gautam Gambhir has been inconsistent with team selections, sometimes bringing new players straight into the playing XI without explanation. The commentator further explained, “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.”

Manoj Tiwary calls Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli the Heart of Indian Cricket

Tiwary hailed Rohit and Virat as the outstanding servants of Indian cricket, saying they have taken Indian cricket to new heights. He also pointed out that they are someone who gives their heart and soul to the team, yet they were facing pressure because of Gautam Gambhir.

The former Indian batter claimed that the current Indian team management is creating a tense atmosphere around the team and that could be making the two legends feel unwanted.

He hinted that if Rohit and Virat sense that their presence is no longer valued or that their image is being affected, they might consider retirement earlier than expected.

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Manoj Tiwary warns Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could retire if they feel unwanted in Team India

He further said, “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 terrible decision if Gautam Gambhir doesn't include these two in the scheme of things for the World Cup.”