From Leading All Formats to One Last Role: Rohit Sharma’s ODI Captaincy Journey Nears Emotional Crossroads

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): Rohit Sharma, after retiring from T20 and Test cricket, now only leads India’s ODI team. However, that too might change soon. With Suryakumar Yadav captaining the T20 side and a new Test captain to be announced, India is moving towards split captaincy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir may gain more control following Rohit's retirement from Tests, which could lead to further leadership changes.

In a recent interview, Gambhir said that it’s not feasible for one player to lead across formats throughout the year, citing mental and physical pressure due to international cricket and IPL commitments. He stated, “Having two captains is better to reduce the pressure.” While he didn't explicitly mention Rohit, his comments suggest a shift in approach.

This aligns with media reports claiming that Rohit’s Test exit was influenced by Gambhir. If India moves forward with Gambhir’s two-captain strategy, Rohit may have to give up ODI captaincy too.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain available for ODIs despite retiring from other formats. When asked about their participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, Gambhir said, “It’s still far. Right now, the focus is on the T20 World Cup in India. If you keep performing, age is just a number.” So, their inclusion in the 2027 World Cup squad will depend entirely on form and fitness, not age.