Ex-India Batter Advocates for Rohit Sharma's Return as ODI Captain
In a bold statement, former India batter Manoj Tiwary has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reappoint Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain, replacing Shubman Gill. This call comes in the wake of India's disappointing home ODI series defeat against New Zealand, marking the first such loss in over three decades under Gill's leadership.
India's ODI Struggles Under Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill's tenure as ODI captain has faced significant challenges. India lost their first series in Australia 2-1 in October, followed by a harrowing home defeat to New Zealand. Although India managed a 2-1 victory over South Africa at home in December, Gill missed that series due to injury, with KL Rahul stepping in as captain. These immediate results have raised questions about the team's direction under Gill's captaincy.
Manoj Tiwary's Critique and Suggestion
Manoj Tiwary has openly questioned the decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy, especially after he led India to the Champions Trophy crown last year. In an interaction with InsideSport, Tiwary emphasized that if Rohit were still leading the ODI side, the outcome of the New Zealand series might have been different. He stated, "What was the need to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy? I'm pretty sure that if Rohit were leading even today in the ODIs, it would have been a different result altogether."
When asked if he was suggesting a captaincy change, Tiwary replied affirmatively, highlighting the importance of course correction with the World Cup approaching. He added, "Yes, absolutely. That's what I'm suggesting because there's still time to course correct. It's about the World Cup. It's not just about a bilateral series or a random tournament we are going to play."
Comparing Leadership: Rohit Sharma vs. Shubman Gill
Tiwary went on to compare the leadership qualities of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, asserting that Rohit is not just a little better, but a lot better currently. He pointed out Rohit's proven track record as a successful captain and argued that with a World Cup looming next year, India should rely on experienced leadership. Tiwary explained, "You can win it with Shubman's captaincy, but I'm suggesting comparing the captaincy of both. If Rohit becomes the captain, what is the percentage chance of winning? And if Shubman leads, what is the percentage chance of winning? I think everyone will say that if Rohit is the captain, then there is an 85 to 90 per cent chance of winning the World Cup."
Performance Analysis in the New Zealand Series
Despite Rohit Sharma entering the series as the No. 1 ODI batter, he struggled with the bat, scoring only 61 runs in three innings. In contrast, Shubman Gill performed better, tallying 135 runs with two half-centuries. However, Tiwary's focus remains on leadership impact rather than individual batting performances, stressing that captaincy decisions should prioritize team success in major tournaments.
This debate underscores the ongoing discussions within Indian cricket about balancing youth and experience, especially with critical events like the World Cup on the horizon. As the BCCI considers its options, the voices of former players like Manoj Tiwary add weight to the argument for reinstating Rohit Sharma to guide the ODI team forward.
