Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has brushed aside suggestions that Rohit Sharma was removed as India’s ODI captain, saying the decision was made after a mutual discussion. Ganguly noted that the change was natural at this stage of Rohit’s career, emphasizing that age, not performance, was the key factor in the selectors’ move.
Speaking to India Today, the ex-India skipper praised Rohit’s achievements as a leader, recalling his recent T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy victories. The 38-year-old has been succeeded by Shubman Gill, who will lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia, starting October 19.
“I’m sure Rohit must have been spoken to. I’m not sure if it’s a sacking. I’m sure it’s a mutual discussion. Rohit has been an outstanding leader — he’s won the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. Performance is not the issue with Rohit Sharma. In 2027, Rohit will be 40. That’s a big number in sport. It happened to me, it happened to Dravid… It happens to everyone. Even Shubman Gill will face the same at 40. Everyone in sport has to finish someday,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly Hails Gill’s Appointment as a Forward-Looking Step
Now serving as the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, Ganguly welcomed the selectors’ move to hand over the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, describing it as a smart and timely decision. He highlighted Gill’s impressive stint in England, where he led the Test team for the first time earlier this year.
“Not a bad decision to promote Gill. He’s shown a lot of talent in England. I think it’s a fair call… Rohit can keep playing while you groom a young captain,” Ganguly added.
Ajit Agarkar Explains the Selectors’ Long-Term Vision
When chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced Gill’s appointment, he clarified that the move was part of a long-term strategy to prepare for the next World Cup. Agarkar said that since ODIs are now played less frequently, it was vital to give the next leader enough experience before the tournament.
“Obviously, at some stage, you have to start looking at where the next World Cup is. It’s also a format which is played the least now. So, you don’t get that many games to actually give the next guy or if there is going to be another guy that much time to prepare himself a plan,” Agarkar said.
He further noted that the gap between ODI fixtures made planning more complicated.
“The World Cup is still two years away. That might look like a long time, but we don’t quite know how many One-Day games we might play closer to the World Cup. We might end up playing a little bit more than what we have. The last ODI we played was in March during the Champions Trophy and the next one we play is on October 19. So, it is a bit of a challenge with One-day cricket at the moment,” Agarkar explained.
“That’s the plan. It gives the next guy enough time to plan with whatever games that we have,” he added.
Transition Marks a New Era in Indian Cricket
With Ganguly emphasizing that Rohit’s exit was not a dismissal but a natural transition, and Agarkar highlighting a vision for the future, the change in leadership signals a generational shift. Shubman Gill’s elevation marks the beginning of India’s next chapter in ODI cricket, with the Australia tour serving as his first big test as captain.
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