‘More Difficult To Drop…’- Former India cricketer flags concern over Rohit Sharma post-captaincy change

Rohit Sharma’s future in India’s ODI setup now looks uncertain after the BCCI decided to relieve him of the captaincy. At 38, the seasoned opener is no longer leading the Men in Blue, marking the end of his tenure at the helm.

Shubman Gill has been handed the responsibility of guiding India in the 50-over format, signaling a new era for the team. The decision comes despite Rohit’s successful run as captain, including major tournament victories and a high win percentage.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa, who played alongside Rohit, expressed concern over the change. He feels that being removed from leadership might affect Rohit’s natural aggression at the crease, which has been a hallmark of his ODI batting style over the years.

Uthappa Warns Rohit’s Batting May Change After Losing Captaincy:

Rohit Sharma has always set the tone for India in ODIs, playing an aggressive and fearless style from the start. His intent and commitment are reflected in statistics, as he recorded the highest strike-rate among Indian top-five batters in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Former teammate Robin Uthappa cautioned that Rohit being stripped of the captaincy might affect his natural approach. There’s a risk he could become more cautious at the crease, potentially altering the very aggression that has defined his successful ODI career.

He said, “ Rohit Sharma is someone who has upped the ante even in one-day cricket. Over the last three or four years, he has played at a much quicker clip, and I think that's been a transformation of sorts for him.”

He further said, “ The shift in the way he (Rohit) approaches one-day cricket has changed. I think he has probably found a sweet spot with that. There are times I feel he doesn't need to be so aggressive. I think he was leading from the front and he wanted to do that.”

He added, “ Now, he would probably be a little more circumspect because it would have been much more difficult to drop a captain versus now as a player. They (the selectors) have also said both these players will be picked on merit. So, I think they (Rohit and Virat Kohli) will be a little more cautious before being uber-aggressive.

Rohit Sharma played his last match as ODI captain in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, confirming he had no immediate plans to retire from the format. However, with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching and Rohit nearing 40 while playing only one format, experts have highlighted the challenge of sustaining his fitness and performance at the highest level.

Rohit Sharma seems committed to maintaining peak fitness, with former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar revealing on Instagram that the batter has shed 10 kilograms. After a seven-month hiatus, Rohit is set to make his comeback for India in the three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning on October 19.