"Rohit Sharma should have at least captained this series”- Ex-Indian cricketer

Former India cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh has expressed shock as Rohit Sharma being replaced as India ODI captain by Shubman Gill. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the Indian squad for the Australia tour and Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli were included in the ODI squad.

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However, he also announced that Shubman Gill will be the new ODI captain of the Indian team, bringing an end to Rohit Sharma’s era. This was after Rohit Sharma had led the Indian team to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament win in March as captain.

Reacting to Rohit Sharma's sacking as ODI captain on his YouTube channel, Ramesh said: "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,” he added.

Retired from T20Is and Tests, 38-year-old Rohit Sharma only remains active in ODI format. 

"Fast-tracking Shubman Gill so much isn't good for him" - Sadagopan Ramesh

Sadagoppan Ramesh believes that rushing Shubman Gill into leadership responsibilities in all formats will be detrimental to both the team and the youth. The 26-year-old is now India's Test and ODI captain, and he serves as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy in T20Is. 

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Nonetheless, Gill took to captaincy like a fish to water in his debut Test in England recently, leading India to a 2-2 tie.

"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 captained India in 11 matches across Tests and T20Is, with the side winning seven and losing three.

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