Big Change in Indian Cricket Leadership – In a major move, the BCCI selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar has removed Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia. Young opener Shubman Gill has been handed the reins and will lead the side for the first time in this format.
Rohit, who guided India to two ICC titles recently – the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025 – will continue as a player in the ODI setup. Alongside him, senior batter Virat Kohli also returns to the squad after a long break.
Shreyas Iyer has been named the vice-captain, marking his rise in India’s leadership group.
Why Was Rohit Sharma Removed?
The BCCI explained that the decision was taken keeping in mind the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- Selectors wanted a captain who would get enough time to prepare and build his team for the mega event.
- Rohit, having retired from Test cricket and playing limited matches, was not seen as a long-term option.
- Ajit Agarkar stated that it was “impossible to have three different captains across formats,” and now was the right time to make the transition.
India’s Squad for Australia ODIs
The ODI series will be played from October 19 to 25, 2025, with matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (C) | Captain, Opener |
| Rohit Sharma | Batter, Opener |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| Shreyas Iyer (VC) | Vice-Captain, Middle-order |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| KL Rahul (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner |
| Harshit Rana | Pacer |
| Mohammed Siraj | Pacer |
| Arshdeep Singh | Pacer |
| Prasidh Krishna | Pacer |
| Dhruv Jurel (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
Notable exclusions: Ravindra Jadeja (dropped), Mohammed Shami (not selected), Jasprit Bumrah (rested).
Read Also:- India Thrash West Indies by an Innings and 140 Runs
Rohit Sharma’s Record as ODI Captain
Rohit took charge of the ODI side in December 2021 after Virat Kohli. His captaincy journey includes both highs and heartbreaks.
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Tie/NR | Win % | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 42 | 12 | 2 | 75.00% | 2023 ODI World Cup Finalist, 2025 Champions Trophy Winner |
Despite his strong record, the failure to win the 2023 ODI World Cup and age considerations influenced the selectors’ decision.
Shubman Gill: India’s New Hope
At just 26, Gill has already led India in Tests and T20Is. He recently secured his first big Test win against the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs. Though his ODI captaincy experience is limited (only six List-A matches as skipper), the BCCI believes he represents the future of Indian cricket.
Gill’s personal ODI stats are also impressive:
- Matches: 55
- Runs: 2775
- Centuries: 8
India will first play the ODI series in Australia, followed by five T20Is (October 29 – November 8). While Rohit continues in the squad, the shift in captaincy signals a new era under Gill’s leadership, with an eye firmly on the 2027 World Cup.
