Former Indian opener Sadagopan Ramesh questioned the decision to remove Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain ahead of the three-match series against Australia. Shubman Gill has been handed over the captaincy baton for the 50-overs format.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said it is difficult to have three different captains for three formats and added they have taken the call while keeping the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind.

Meanwhile, 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. Ramesh said it is shocking that Rohit was sacked despite leading India to Champions Trophy glory.

Sadagopan Ramesh said on his YouTube Channel, “It was shocking to hear because he just brought us the cup home in the last ICC ODI tournament we played and you remove him in the very next series. I can see Shubman Gill is being fast-tracked but this is like dropping someone who scored a 100 or picked up a five-wicket haul in the very next game.”

“Rohit Sharma should have at least captained this series definitely. Building for the future by expecting someone to achieve big things and showering them with high praise is fine. But don’t stamp on someone who has already achieved so much.”

The former flamboyant batter added that fast-tracking Shubman Gill isn’t good for him.

“Given he just led us to the ODI World Cup final and won us the Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma should have continued as the ODI captain for at least another one or two series. Fast-tracking someone can also backfire anytime so fast-tracking Shubman Gill so much isn’t good for him,” said Ramesh.

Gill has led in only six List A matches and he will lead India for the first time in ODIs against Australia in the upcoming three-match series.