"It would've ruined team culture.." BCCI source gives shocking reason behind Rohit Sharma's removal as ODI captain

Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is in 2024 and tests in 2025.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee made a brave decision to remove Rohit Sharma from ODI captaincy. Rohit, who currently only plays ODI cricket for India, appeared to be set to remain as captain until the 2027 ODI World Cup after leading the Men in Blue to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.

With an eye on the ODI World Cup in 2027, the selectors decided that now was the moment to appoint vice-captain Shubman Gill. Gill assisted Rohit throughout the CT.

In addition to appointing a new captain, the selection committee picked a new vice-captain. Shreyas Iyer was named the new vice-captain of the ODI side in recognition of his outstanding performance as captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Iyer captained Delhi Capitals to their first IPL final in 2020. Under his leadership, Kolkata Knight Riders broke their 10-year title drought in 2024 and won the coveted trophy. Iyer led Punjab Kings to the final of IPL 2025. They were defeated by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

Failures in the New Zealand and Australia series led to Gambhir taking control: BCCI source on why Rohit Sharma was removed as captain

Rohit Sharma had taken over as India’s ODI and T20I captain from Virat Kohli in 2021 and as test captain in 2022. He led India to victories in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, while leading India into the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC World Test Championship in 2023.

However, he retired from T20Is in 2024 and from tests in May this year, leaving him and Virat Kohli only playing ODIs. Rohit Sharma also celebrated his 38th birthday this year and will be 40 when ICC World Cup 2027 begins.

However, a BCCI source has revealed that Rohit Sharma was removed as captain in ODIs as his being a leader would’ve led to a clash in culture in the Indian team dressing room, with Shubman Gill being the test captain and Suryakumar Yadav being the T20I captain.

“A player of Rohit’s stature in a leadership role would have meant he would get to drive his philosophy in the dressing room. But with him playing only in ODIs, a format that is played the least, it could have disturbed the team culture. Gambhir had taken a back seat in Tests and ODIs in the first six months of his assignment, but the debacles against New Zealand and Australia prompted him to take charge more firmly,” BCCI sources told Times of India.

Rohit Sharma’s last two series as India test captain were epic disasters as New Zealand defeated India in India by a margin of 3-0, their first series defeat at home since 2012. Then India lost their chance to qualify for the ICC WTC 2023-25 final when Australia blanked them 3-1, and Rohit Sharma’s own form dipped dangerously low, with him sitting out of the fifth test in Sydney.

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