Former Indian selector Saba Karim questioned Rohit Sharma’s removal as ODI captain ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia. Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new ODI skipper, replacing Rohit at the helm.
Rohit had a fantastic record as ODI captain, leading India in 56 ODIs, out of which the team won 42 matches, lost 12, tied one, and had one no-result.
Rohit had led India to glory in the T20 World Cup 2024 and also the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said it was difficult to sustain three captains for three different formats.
Saba Karim said via KADAK, “I think this is a very abrupt decision and there was absolutely no need for it. He (Rohit Sharma) is a winning captain who has led you to back-to-back trophies, and you have bid him farewell in such a manner. This has been a very surprising and shocking decision for me.”
“There was still time; it’s not as if there was any need to rush. The World Cup is in 2027, and he had already informed that he would play only one format. He has built this team so brilliantly, the team that won the Champions Trophy, the T20 title before that, and the way the team is currently performing in T20s, Rohit Sharma has had a massive role in building it,” he added.
“It’s not like he suddenly forgot how to captain or that he doesn’t know how to lead in this format. Nor is it that he doesn’t know how to score runs in this format. He’s the one who, by opening the innings, showed everyone how to maintain the scoring rate and what approach to take on the field. So, in my opinion, his exit has been extremely shocking.”
On the other hand, the former Indian wicket-keeper reckons India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav might also be removed as a leader after the T20 World Cup 2026.
“I think there is some directive that India doesn’t want to have different captains for the three formats. I believe his end might also be written (Speaking about Surya’s potential removal as T20I captain), maybe after the World Cup. Because these dynamics, I feel, are something the team management and selectors find difficult to cope with. And this seems to be the selectors’ mindset that having multiple captains makes it tough for the players.”
Gill will lead India in ODIs for the first time against Australia in the upcoming three-match series.
