Star India batter Rohit Sharma was stripped of the ODI captaincy duties as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t want the team culture to get disturbed, according to a report. On Saturday, Test captain Shubman Gill was also handed the reins of the ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma ahead of the three-match series against Australia later this month. On the decision to remove Rohit Sharma, BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar opined that it was ‘practically impossible’ to have three different captains across formats.
However, a report in the Times of India (TOI) has claimed that the selectors didn’t want Rohit Sharma to dictate things his own way, as they feared that it could have impacted the team culture in a negative way. The report revealed that Gautam Gambhir took the backseat in his first six months as head coach and only started interfering in team matters following the Test series defeats to New Zealand (home) and Australia (away).
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be playing under Gill’s captaincy in Australia. While it is not clear whether the two would be able to stick around till the 2027 ODI World Cup, Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar didn’t want to face a situation where both senior players’ form suddenly “dipped.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set to tour Australia but only as players
India have recently announced their squad for the upcoming white ball series in Australia. In what came as a big surprise, Rohit Sharma was removed from captaincy of the ODI format, and Shubman Gill was handed over the role.Factually, the shift is clear for India. Shubman Gill leads in the ODIs in Australia while Iyer acts as his deputy. The selectors want continuity and a long runway for a young leader before the 2027 World Cup.
The move by the Indian management received mixed reactions. While some welcomed the thought of India trying to move ahead, some criticised the sudden end of the Rohit Sharma era.
Former India international, Mohammed Kaif, has added himself to the list of names who feel that Rohit Sharma deserved a run at the helm till the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ajit Agarkar, while speaking on the change, argued that it is ‘practically impossible’ to run three captains across formats, hence the handover. The call is strategic. The timing, though, is what Kaif challenges.
Mohammad Kaif slams selectors decision to remove Rohit Sharma as ODI captain
Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif slammed the decision to remove Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain ahead of the all-important Australian tour. Team India has announced Shubman Gill as their new ODI captain, effective from the upcoming series in Australia.
Rohit Sharma led India to the 2025 Champions Trophy title, the last time India played an ODI. Yet, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, the Indian think tank went with Gill at the helm in the 50-over format. The youngster also recently replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain in Tests, following the latter’s retirement from the format.
Talking about Rohit Sharma’s sudden removal from ODI captaincy, Kaif said on his X handle (via TOI) :
“Rohit Sharma gave India 16 years, but we couldn’t give him even one. As captain, he has won 15 out of 16 ICC events, losing one match, the 2023 final. The Champions Trophy was the last match of 2025, he was the player of the match and won the trophy. He will also win the 2024 World Cup. We could not give him one year.”
“There is an example in India that as long as your time is there, you should continue it, but Rohit did not do that. He taught many players everything, but we removed him from the captaincy of the 2027 World Cup for one year.” he continued
The latest move means Gill will lead the Indian side in Tests and ODIs, while Suryakumar Yadav captains them in T20Is.Mohammad Kaif questioned the rationale behind Team India fast-tracking Shubman Gill as the ODI captain despite the side thriving under Rohit Sharma. Under Rohit Sharma, India have dominated in ODIs, winning 42 out of 56 games, including reaching the final of the 2023 World Cup and clinching the 2025 Champions Trophy title.
“The captain who won us two ICC trophies in eight months will now be replaced by Shubman Gill. Gill is young and new and can be a good captain, but why rush into everything? Why give a flying start? His time will come, but right now it was Rohit’s time,” said Kaif.
However, what Mohammed Kaif has pointed out is not against the move India are planning. His contention is about timing and respect for a captain who won two ICC trophies in a span of roughly eight months. The counter from the panel is structure and continuity over sentiment. Sentiment vs system – that clash is what resonates with Kaif’s reel.
Gill will face a stiff challenge to begin his ODI captaincy stint, with India playing Australia in a three-match series, starting October 19. He impressed in his first assignment as Test captain in the recent five-match series in England, with India pulling off a 2-2 draw.
Shubman Gill has won three, lost two, and drawn one out of his six Tests as India captain so far. He will be leading for the first time in ODIs during the Australia tour. Team India’s white-ball tour of Australia will begin with the three ODIs on October 19. They will play five T20Is following the ODI series.
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