In a surprising move, the Indian selectors and management have removed Rohit Sharma from his role as the ODI captain, appointing Shubman Gill as the new leader. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially given that Rohit’s last tournament as captain was a successful and unbeaten run in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has been vocal in his criticism of the decision, calling out the selectors for “snatching” the captaincy from the 38-year-old.
Kaif’s Criticism of the Sudden Captaincy Change
Kaif expressed his disappointment over the fact that Rohit Sharma’s captaincy tenure was cut short, emphasizing that the 38-year-old never got a proper chance to establish his leadership. According to Kaif, “What wrong has Rohit Sharma done? It’s very unfortunate that we didn’t get a long captaincy run from Rohit—not even four years.” He further added that Rohit, a great batter and a capable leader, could have achieved even more if given a longer stint as captain.
Kaif pointed out that when captaincy is removed from a player’s hands prematurely, it feels like losing a “right hand.” He believed that Rohit should have been given a fair chance to lead the team until at least the 2027 ODI World Cup, where he could have made an even bigger impact.
Shubman Gill: A Rising Star Under Intense Pressure
With Shubman Gill now officially appointed as the new ODI captain, Kaif raised concerns about the young player’s rapid rise to leadership positions. Gill is not only India’s new ODI captain but also holds the vice-captaincy in T20Is and captains the Test side. While Kaif acknowledges Gill’s talent and potential, he believes the immense responsibility could be overwhelming for the 25-year-old.
Kaif stated, “The load falls on Gill. He’s getting all of it in a hurry. It could also backfire.” He added that the quick succession of leadership roles could affect Gill’s performance, especially when a player is forced into the role too early. Kaif emphasized that players don’t ask for captaincy, but the selectors seem to have pressured Gill into taking on more than he might be ready for.
Final Thoughts: A Shift in Indian Cricket’s Leadership Dynamic
The decision to hand over the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill has triggered discussions about the fast-paced changes in Indian cricket’s leadership. While many believe Gill is the future of Indian cricket, Kaif’s concerns about the pressure on the young captain reflect the delicate balance between leadership and performance. As Gill steps into his new role against Australia later this month, all eyes will be on how he handles the added responsibility.
Rohit Sharma, for now, will continue to be part of the squad but will focus on his role as a specialist batter. This marks the end of an era for Rohit as India’s ODI captain, leaving fans and former cricketers questioning if the decision was premature.
