Is Rohit Sharma A Bad Captain? Gautam Gambhir Provides Contrasting Verdict His Own Assessment Of Virat Kohli's Captaincy

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir gave a strong reply to critics who commented on Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy after the World Cup 2023 final loss to Australia. Gautam Gambhir emphasized that it is unfair to judge Rohit Sharma’s captaincy based on a single game.

India was considered heavy favorites in the World Cup, and they lived up to expectations in the league stage, remaining the only unbeaten side. The Men in Blue defeated New Zealand in the semifinal game. However, the hosts failed to cross the finish line in the summit clash.

Rohit Sharma Has Done A Very Very Good Job – Gautam Gambhir

Speaking on the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gautam Gambhir lauded Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, stating that he has done an excellent job during the World Cup. Gambhir highlighted the overall dominance of the Indian team in the tournament.

“In captaincy, Rohit has done a very, very good job. It is not easy to win five IPL trophies. The way India have dominated in the last 50-over World Cup and I said that before the World Cup final as well…I said that irrespective of the result, whatever the result is after the World Cup, India played like a champion side. One bad game doesn’t make Rohit Sharma or this side a bad team. Ten games and the way they have dominated the whole tournament. Just because of one bad game if you call Rohit Sharma a bad captain, this is not fair,” Gambhir said.

Rohit Sharma Should Be Leading In The T20 World Cup – Gautam Gambhir

The former cricketer believes that Rohit Sharma should lead the Indian team in the 2024 T20 World Cup if he maintains good form. Gambhir also stated that age should not be a criterion for dropping a player; instead, the form should be the primary consideration.

“If Rohit Sharma is in good form, he should be leading in the T20 World Cup or if he is not in good form, whoever is not in good form should not be picked for the T20 World Cup. Captaincy is a responsibility. First, you get yourself selected as a player and then you’re made captain. A captain should have a permanent position in the playing eleven, and the permanent place depends on the form,” Gambhir said.

“Age should not be the criteria why a player should be dropped or picked, only form should be the criteria. Retirement is also an individual decision, no one can force him (a player) to retire, selectors have all the right not to pick them but ultimately one cannot take a bat or ball away from a player. Form is the topmost priority,” he added.

Also read: “Yuvraj Singh Doesn’t Have A Good PR Agency” – Gautam Gambhir Lashes Out At Media