Harbhajan Singh on Rohit Sharma's captaincy removal (Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/x.com, @Chingchoy_/x.com)
As Team India’s Test side undergoes a revolutionary phase, the spark has now spread over the 50-over format. With Team India is set to travel to Australia later this month, Shubman Gill has been handed over Team India’s ODI captaincy.
After Gill replaced Rohit Sharma in the ODI captaincy role, the move formed different opinions between experts and fans. Weighing in on the bold move, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh admitted he was taken aback, calling Rohit Sharma’s removal from captaincy a complete shock.
Harbhajan Singh on Hitman’s removal
After Virat Kohli stepped down from the captaincy in 2021, Rohit Sharma took Team India’s helm, and the rest is history. Guiding the side to glory, the 2023 ODI World Cup may have ended with heartbreak, but the recent Champions Trophy triumph was nothing short of a major achievement. As Team India is going through a transitional phase, Shubman Gill has been appointed as Team India’s ODI captain, eyeing the 2027 World Cup.
As the bold move by the team management created a buzz, former Indian star Harbhajan Singh joined the debate. Speaking to JioHotstar, the legendary spinner described Rohit Sharma’s removal from the captaincy as ‘a little shocking.’
“Rohit is someone who holds a very good record in white-ball cricket. Honestly, it’s a little shocking to see him not being captain but still selected. I thought if he was going to Australia, he would have been captain again. He has been one of the pillars of Indian cricket in white-ball formats,” he said.
Gill’s appointment comes a little too soon
After taking the responsibility of the Test side, Shubman Gill filled in Rohit’s shoes in the 50-over format. As the team is keeping an eye on the upcoming 2027 World Cup, Gill’s appointment has been a visionary decision. While the management’s move is seen as a forward-thinking decision, former spinner Harbhajan Singh feels the timing is a bit early, believing Rohit still has much to contribute.
“Shubman can wait a little and take the team forward after 6-8 months or a year. There’s still a lot of time until the 2027 World Cup. I am happy for Shubman, but at the same time, I’m a bit disappointed that Rohit is not captain. His experience and leadership are invaluable, and he deserved this tour,” he added.
Coming back in India’s jersey, Rohit Sharma is set to step into international cricket after the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. With the first ODI against Australia scheduled for October 19, fans are eager to witness the Hitman weave his magic on Australian soil.
