The renowned Rohit Sharma was replaced as the ODI team’s captain by Shubman Gill, who was formally announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, October 4. On October 19, India will go to Australia for a three-match ODI series, followed by five Twenty20 Internationals, marking the beginning of Shubman’s rule.
Since December 2021, Rohit Sharma has led India in the One-Day Internationals. In 2023, he guided the Men in Blue to the ODI World Cup finals. However, Rohit Sharma leadership of India to the Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year was the turning point in the 50-over format.
Leading the Asian powerhouses in the ODI format would present Shubman with a new challenge, according to former India spinner Harbhajan Singh.
“Gill now has the additional duty of captaining the squad in ODI. It will be a new task for him, of course. It is the first time he has done it. Shubman has undoubtedly taken Rohit’s spot as captain, despite Rohit Sharma stellar record in white-ball cricket.
To be honest, I find it rather strange that Rohit Sharma was chosen despite not being captain,” Harbhajan stated in an interview with Star Sports.
In my opinion, he ought to have offered that tour at the very least: Harbhajan
Given Rohit Sharma prior performance, Harbhajan stated that the Mumbai cricketer ought to have been kept as captain for the Australian tour.
“I assumed he would have become captain once more if he had been travelling to Australia. In terms of white-ball cricket, I believe he has been one of the mainstays of Indian cricket, having just won the Champions Trophy and other competitions. Thus, in my opinion, he ought to have done it at least for this tour,” Harbhajan stated.
There was still time for the 2027 World Cup, the ODI and T20 World Cup champion added. Shubman could have assumed the position within a year, he said.
“That’s still a long way off if you’re thinking about the 2027 World Cup. It goes without saying that Shubman can wait a short while and likely lead the squad to success in six, eight, or even a year. There’s plenty of time to do it. However, although I’m pleased for Shubman, I’m also a little let down that Rohit Sharma wasn’t selected as captain,” Harbhajan said.
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