India head coach calls MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma poor Test captains

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold statement on Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni’s captaincy in Test cricket. Rohit Sharma is back in the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, and all eyes are on him as he aims to make a strong international return.

Ahead of the first ODI against Australia in Perth, Shastri said that Rohit remains one of the most influential leaders in white-ball cricket, but his Test captaincy record has not impressed him. As India’s white-ball captain, Rohit led the team to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, along with several Asia Cups and IPL titles.

Ravi Shastri not impressed with Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni’s Test captaincy

The Indian opener’s leadership in limited-overs cricket has often drawn comparisons with MS Dhoni, both being hailed as game-changers for India. However, Rohit’s tenure as Test captain was far from impressive. Out of 24 tests under Rohit’s leadership, India won 12 and lost nine, including a heavy defeat in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia and a disappointing 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home.

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Even the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia also ended in a 1-3 loss. On the other hand, India won 27 matches, lost 18, and drew 15 matches under MS Dhoni’s captaincy in Test cricket. However, Shastri noted that Rohit’s Test captaincy may not have matched his white-ball achievements, but his experience and hunger for success remain unmatched.

Ravi Shastri said on The Grade Cricketer: “He's won Asia Cups as well and IPL trophies (apart from ICC trophies), much like MS Dhoni. MS won everything. With MS, it was the full monty. Both of them are outstanding white-ball captains. I won't say the same when it comes to tests because the attention span is not the same.”

Ravi Shastri hails Rohit Sharma's transformation

After losing the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, Rohit has focused intensely on his fitness during the off-season. Rohit has shed weight, worked on his agility, and prepared for the Australian challenge.

Having been impressed by Rohit’s hard work on his fitness, Shastri added, “Fitness-wise there is no problem with Virat, and you see Rohit now; he has really worked. He has lost a lot of weight; he has worked hard on his fitness. So, that hunger, that desire, is there.”

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Ravi Shastri reacts to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s comebacks, explains why fans go crazy

The three-match ODI series against Australia will be Rohit Sharma’s first international outing since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fans are eager to see him back in action, sparking debates across social media over their return, including Virat Kohli, who is also making a comeback in Australia.

Shastri insisted that these discussions are natural in a cricket-mad nation like India, where loyalties and opinions vary widely, but Rohit and Virat Kohli continue to enjoy universal respect and admiration among the fans.

He signed off by saying, “It's just likes and probably where you come from, which state you come from, and which team you are playing for. Like a lot of Virat fans would be RCB fans. A lot of Rohit fans would be MI fans. It has always been the case. Honestly, with these two players, the fans are universal. MS had a huge fan following, and that is the case in India.”