BCCI feared Rohit Sharma could've disturbed ODI team culture; Gautam Gambhir takes full control now

Team India opener Rohit Sharma has been forced to step down as ODI captain, with Shubman Gill taking over the role ahead of the upcoming Australia tour. According to reports, Rohit continuing as skipper could have disrupted team culture, which forced the selectors to hand the leadership to Gill in the 50-over format.

Gill, who became India’s Test captain earlier this year, will lead the ODI team against Australia, starting on October 19 in Perth. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar stated that the change was made to avoid having three separate captains across formats. Rohit is currently playing only ODIs in international cricket.

BCCI Keen on Grooming Shubman Gill As an All-Format Leader

The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain in place of Rohit Sharma has sparked debate. It is worth mentioning that Rohit had recently led the team to an unbeaten Champions Trophy triumph in March 2025.

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The selectors made the move due to dressing-room dynamics rather than performance. According to The Times of India, the selectors and management feared that retaining Rohit as skipper could have created conflicting team cultures across formats.

With the BCCI keen on grooming Gill as a future all-format leader, the management felt it was necessary to avoid split captaincy. They believe this will ensure consistency in approach across formats as India enters a new phase.

Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Could Have Disturbed Team Culture - Report

The report also stated that head coach Gautam Gambhir initially took a backseat during the first six months of his tenure, allowing Rohit Sharma to lead and implement his strategies.

However, following Test series losses to New Zealand at home and Australia away, Gambhir took control. Notably, Rohit now plays only ODIs after his retirement from T20Is and Test cricket.

“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 which is played the least, it could have disturbed the team culture,” the Times of India quoted a BCCI source as saying.

"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,” the source added.

Collective Effort By Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar - Report

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included in India’s squad for the upcoming Australia series. They will return to international cricket after the Champions Trophy. However, they have retained their spots based on current form rather than reputation.

They need to deliver consistent performances if they hope to secure places for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Gambhir and Agarkar considered the challenges of maintaining peak form for two senior players in their late 30s.

“It has been a collective effort by Gambhir and Agarkar. They understand that it will be tough for both Rohit and Kohli to be at their peak after two years, given that they are in their late 30s. They didn’t want to be caught off guard if suddenly Rohit or Kohli’s form dipped. It would have created chaos in the leadership group," the BCCI source said.

"The duo announcing retirement from Tests days before the selection for the England tour was a case in point. The team won the Champions Trophy and two Tests in England even without Bumrah," the source added.

Also read: Rohit Sharma’s scary 2012 tweet predicting his sacking and Shubman Gill’s appointment as captain goes viral