Is Rohit Sharma the Right Choice for Captain?

After the Indian men’s team limped out of the World Cup at the group stage late last year, it was perhaps only a matter of time before their captain, Virat Kohli, was given his marching orders. That moment arrived in December, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) published a statement announcing Rohit Sharma as the new head of the team.

Given that Sharma already has significant experience in leading India on several occasions, as well as his club for years at a domestic level, the appointment might seem to some as nothing more than a formality and the best betting sites all ranked him as the clear favourite to take over from Kohli. However, there are plenty of others who believe Sharma isn’t the right man for the job in the long run. We take a look at both sides of the argument below.

The case for Sharma

By naming Sharma as the white-ball captain for T20I and ODI matches going forwards, the BCCI have made a clear statement that they prioritise unity and consistency in their outlook. With one man at the helm for both formats of test cricket, India could well benefit from greater cohesion in their tactics and a more integrated team spirit.

Sharma’s arm-around-the-shoulder approach to captaincy is certainly more in keeping with Kohli’s predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni and it’s anticipated that he will breed more camaraderie than Kohli, whose tenure was plagued by rumours of dressing room unrest. Meanwhile, he also has the pedigree to match those man management skills, with an enviable win ratio during his time in blue.

Those attributes are enough to convince former selector Sandeep Singh, who told ANI that he believed Sharma was definitely the right choice. “Rohit is a good captain as he has done well in the IPL. In Virat Kohli’s absence, he has led India and done well,” he explained. “He is a very calm and composed person.”

The case against Sharma

Of course, not everyone shares that conviction. There are those, for example, who wonder whether letting Kohli go was the right choice in the first place. With a captaincy win rate of 30 out of 50 T20Is and 65 out of 95 ODIs, Kohli’s record is by no means poor, while the nonchalant means via which the BCCI announced Sharma’s appointment – neglecting to mention Kohli altogether – has left a sour taste in the mouth of some.

Elsewhere, there are those who have concerns about Sharma’s advanced years. Even when he was first touted to take over from Kohli back in 2019, Sharma’s age was called in to question, but three years further down the line he recently turned 35 years old. Given that the next World Cup will not take place until next year on home soil, Sharma’s age is counted against him by some.

That’s especially true when there are other, younger options on the table. KL Rahul’s name has been raised many times over recent years and given that he’s five years Sharma’s junior, he would have more time to exert his influence over the time. Taken together, these reasons meant that 75% of respondents to a recent poll online deemed Sharma to be the wrong call.

What do you think? Is Sharma the man to lead India into the next World Cup? Should Kohli have been given longer? Was it time to look to the next generation? Let us know in the comments.