Why Rohit Sharma was sacked from ODI captaincy before India tour to Australia?
Rohit Sharma is set to step down as India’s ODI captain, with Shubman Gill likely to take over ahead of the Australia series as part of BCCI’s long-term plan.
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There are strong reports that Rohit Sharma will no longer continue as the captain of India’s ODI team. According to the Hindustan Times, the BCCI has decided to hand over the leadership to young opener Shubman Gill before the upcoming series against Australia. This move is said to be part of a bigger plan, as the selectors want to prepare a younger captain who can take charge till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Shubman Gill, who is only 26, has already become India’s Test captain after Rohit retired from the format earlier this year. Now, giving him the ODI captaincy as well would provide consistency across formats. The selectors believe Gill should be given enough time to gain leadership experience and build his own team for the future.
Rohit Sharma has been one of India’s most successful white-ball captains. He led the team to the 2024 T20 World Cup win, the 2025 Champions Trophy victory, and also to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, the BCCI seems to feel that this is the right time to bring in a younger leader. Even with this change, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to be part of the ODI squad against Australia.
Why Rohit Sharma was sacked from ODI captaincy
The major reason is the long-term vision for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The selectors want a younger captain who can lead India throughout the next cycle, and Gill is seen as the perfect option. The second reason is consistency in leadership across formats. Since Gill is already the Test captain, making him ODI captain will give the team more stability.
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Another reason is Rohit Sharma’s age and workload. At 38, his fitness and form for a long four-year cycle remain a concern. The selectors want him to focus more on his batting rather than carrying the pressure of captaincy. His poor performance in the most recent Test series in Australia, where he averaged only 6.20, has raised questions as well. Rohit has been a great leader for India, yet the selectors believe it is time for a seamless transition to Shubman Gill, who can take India into the future.
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Gopi Marisetty
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