The India squad for ODI series against Australia was announced which also marked the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. But one of the most shocking decisions that came in spotlight was that star Indian batsman Rohit Sharma was dropped as ODI captain by the BCCI in a bid to maintain a calm team atmosphere. The move was done ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia later this month, with Shubman Gill, who is already India’s Test captain, now also assuming the leadership responsibility in the 50-over format.
Although BCCI head of selection Ajit Agarkar officially said that the decision to have three different captains in different formats was “practically impossible,” there was something more to it, according to a Times of India report. It alleged that the selectors were apprehensive about Rohit having too much of a hand in team matters, risking derailing the dressing room environment and team dynamics.
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“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 Times of India quoted a BCCI source as saying.
The report also explained head coach Gautam Gambhir’s changing role. During his early months at the helm, Gambhir is said to have kept a low profile but started taking greater control after consecutive Test series defeats—first at home to New Zealand and then abroad to Australia.
“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 added.
“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 said.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play under Gill’s captaincy in the Australia ODIs. Yet, their ultimate fate in the format is far from certain, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup still two years away. Gambhir and Agarkar are eager not to have the team’s preparation hampered by an unexpected drop in form by one of either of the veteran pillars, as per the report.
