Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar (Source:@Jyran45/X.com)
Rohit Sharma has been replaced as the ODI captain by Shubman Gill, and it has come as a big surprise for many, with India winning the Champions Trophy under his leadership earlier this year. The selectors and team management, though, want to move into a new direction and have now decided to go with a young captain.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Rohit Sharma has been removed as captain after doing well. Before IPL 2024, he was replaced by Hardik Pandya as MI captain and now Abhishek Nayar, his long-term friend and Mumbai teammate, has also revealed an old captaincy removal incident.
Abhishek Nayar opens up on early captaincy setback of Rohit Sharma
Abhishek Nayar, in a podcast with Aashish Kaushik, stated that not many people know that Rohit Sharma was removed as Mumbai Ranji captain during his younger days. He added that they won the trophy that year, and Rohit had initially replaced Ajit Agarkar, who was a full-time captain.
Nayar mentioned that Rohit came in as a stand-in captain for injured Ajit Agarkar but was removed after two match. He revealed that there was a notion in Mumbai cricket that Rohit is an unbelievable cricketer but a moody captain and is a bit crazy.
“Not many people know this but Rohit was removed from captaincy when he led the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team. We won that year by the way. Ajit Agarkar was the captain. Then he got injured and Rohit came in as stand-in captain for two games. Then they said ‘ye paagal hai’. That was the notion in Mumbai, that ‘cricketer unbelievable hai, but captain moody hai, yeh hai, aisa hai, waisa hai karke," Abhishek Nayar said on podcast with Ashish Kaushik.
Rohit's long-term friend highlights Hitman's progression as leader
The former Indian assistant coach revealed that he took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. Nayar then mentions that he is now amazed with the way Rohit Sharma has progressed in his career and his overall vision as a leader not only for the team but for individuals.
“Ironically, I took over from him and he played under me. When Ajit came back, Ajit was captain and I took over once he left. From that Rohit Sharma to now, oh god. I’m amazed by his vision and thought process, not only for the team but also the individuals."
Overall, Abhishek Nayar has revealed a story about how Rohit Sharma has faced setbacks as captain early in his career. However, the Hitman did not let that affect him and will now go down as one of India's finest white-ball leader.
.jpg?type=mq "Vidarbha win Irani Trophy")
