Overview:
Rohit and Virat Kohli will play in the ODI series against Australia. However, they will now be considered for selection if they score runs.
Rohit Sharma has been removed from ODI captaincy, with Shubman Gill taking charge from the upcoming ODI series against Australia. The BCCI, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Gautam Gambhir made the decision keeping the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. Agarkar said that it would have been difficult to have three different captains leading in three different formats. However, there is more to the story.
According to a report in The Times of India, the decision was taken to avoid the team culture from getting disturbed. Had Rohit been allowed to lead the team, it would have given him more time to drive his philosophy in the dressing room, and the team management was not ready for it. The report further revealed that Gambhir allowed Rohit to take all the calls for six months, but when the team failed against New Zealand at home and in Australia, the coach then decided to take charge.
“Rohit would have continued to drive his philosophy in the dressing room, but with him only playing in one-day internationals, a format which is not played much these days, it could have impacted the team’s culture,” a BCCI source told TOI.
“Gambhir took the back seat in Tests and ODIs for the first six months of his tenure, but the defeats against New Zealand and Australia forced him to take charge,” the source added.
Rohit and Virat Kohli will play in the ODI series against Australia. However, they will now be considered for selection if they score runs.
“Gambhir and Agarkar have made a collective decision. They know Rohit and Virat will struggle to maintain consistency, considering their age. They didn’t want to be caught off guard if the two start failing. It would have led to chaos in the leadership group,” the source mentioned.
“The duo took retirement from Test cricket just before the tour of England. The team won the Champions Trophy and two Tests in England even without the presence of Jasprit Bumrah.”
Rohit and Virat had retired from T20Is after India won the 2024 World Cup.