The Indian squad for the ODI series against Australia was unveiled, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making their comeback. A surprising announcement was the BCCI’s decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the ODI captaincy. This was done to maintain a stable and positive team environment. Shubman Gill, who is currently India’s Test captain, will now lead the team in the 50-over format.
While the official stance, conveyed by Ajit Agarkar, the BCCI’s head of selection, cited the difficulty of multiple captains, a Times of India report hinted at more complex reasons. The selectors were reportedly concerned about the potential impact of Rohit Sharma’s leadership style on team dynamics and the dressing room atmosphere.
According to a BCCI source quoted in the Times of India, ‘A player of Rohit’s stature in a leadership role would have meant he would get to drive his philosophy in the dressing room. But with him playing only in ODIs, a format which is played the least, it could have disturbed the team culture.’
The report also discussed the evolving role of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Initially taking a backseat, Gambhir reportedly increased his involvement after losses in consecutive Test series. ‘Gambhir had taken a back seat in Tests and ODIs in the first six months of his assignment, but the debacles against New Zealand and Australia prompted him to take charge more firmly,’ the source stated.
‘It has been a collective effort by Gambhir and Agarkar. They understand that it will be tough for both Rohit and Kohli to be at their peak after two years, given that they are in their late 30s. They didn’t want to be caught off guard if suddenly Rohit or Kohli’s form dipped. It would have created chaos in the leadership group,’ the BCCI source added.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play under Gill’s captaincy in the Australia ODIs. However, their future in the format is not guaranteed, with the 2027 ODI World Cup still two years away. Gambhir and Agarkar are reportedly keen to avoid any disruptions to the team’s preparation due to potential form fluctuations from either of the senior players.