Last week, the BCCI removed Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain and handed the reins to Shubman Gill. BCCI took the decision with one eye on the future, but their move has caused a lot of controversy. Gill already leads India in Tests and now assumes ODI captaincy with the 2027 World Cup as a looming milestone.
Reacting to Gill's elevation, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has asserted that Rohit should have remained captain through the 2027 ODI World Cup and the leadership transition has been rushed prematurely.
“My point is don’t overburden him. He captains in Tests, bats at No. 4. He was made the vice-captain in the Asia Cup – will take over when Suryakumar Yadav steps aside. Now you’ve made him the ODI captain. I feel everything is being done in a hurry. A player never asks for captaincy. Everyone knows that he didn’t want it. You can’t demand it, but everyone seems to like him a lot and considers him a captain for the future. The selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, have put pressure on him,” said Kaif on his YouTube channel.
Rohit Sharma, however, along with Virat Kohli, remains part of India's ODI squad for the Australia series. Both Rohit and Kohli have quit Test cricket and T20Is and are only available for ODIs. Earlier this year, Rohit Sharma led India to the title win at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, playing a crucial 76-run knock in the final against New Zealand. Meanwhile, India's ODI series against Australia begins on October 19 with the first match in Perth, followed by the second and third ODIs in Adelaide and Sydney on October 23 and 25, respectively.