The spotlight has shifted from the cricket field to the commentary box as former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has publicly called out India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate over his remarks on Rohit Sharma. What began as a routine explanation after an ODI match has now turned into a debate about respect, legacy and how coaches should speak about senior players.
Ryan ten Doeschate, known for being more direct than most members of the Indian coaching staff, recently spoke about Rohit Sharma’s cautious batting approach during the second ODI against New Zealand. He suggested that the pitch conditions did not suit Rohit’s natural style and hinted that the Indian captain might be slightly short of match practice heading into the series. While the comments appeared harmless to some, a section of fans interpreted them as unnecessary and insensitive, especially given Rohit Sharma’s recent decision to step away from certain formats.
Manoj Tiwary did not hold back while responding to these remarks. Drawing from his time as a teammate of Ryan ten Doeschate at Kolkata Knight Riders, Manoj Tiwary acknowledged his former colleague’s character but firmly questioned his choice of words. He reminded everyone that Rohit Sharma’s achievements for Indian cricket, both as a batter and as a leader, place him in a completely different league. According to Manoj Tiwary, comparisons or subtle criticisms coming from someone with far fewer international accomplishments were unwarranted and should have been avoided.
Manoj Tiwary also expressed concern about Ryan ten Doeschate’s blunt assessment of Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performance, suggesting that such public comments can hurt confidence and morale. In his view, coaches are part of the team’s backbone and must protect players, not expose them to unnecessary scrutiny.
He emphasised that Rohit Sharma has brought immense joy to the country through his leadership and tournament victories and questioning him while being part of the team management sends the wrong message. Manoj Tiwary concluded by urging Ryan ten Doeschate to reflect on his words and show greater sensitivity when discussing players who have already given so much to Indian cricket.
