The BCCI’s move to strip Rohit Sharma of the ODI captaincy and hand it to Shubman Gill has sparked intense debate in Indian cricket. Even two days after the announcement, strong opinions continue to surface. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has voiced serious concerns about the recent leadership changes. He warned that giving Gill leadership roles so quickly could hurt his development and impact India’s future plans. He also believes this decision could drastically reduce Rohit’s chances of appearing in the 2027 World Cup.
Kaif Questions Timing of Gill’s Promotion
Kaif pointed out that Shubman Gill’s rapid rise as captain in Tests and ODIs, along with his T20I vice-captaincy, has happened too soon and without proper planning. He feels such major decisions should have been delayed until after the next World Cup.
“This was on expected lines, but I felt this would happen after the 2027 World Cup. The guy has quality, and he’s also worked on his fitness. He had a realistic chance of playing the 2027 World Cup. However, the load falls on Gill. He’s getting all of it in a hurry. It could also lead to a loss. When you get so much in such a short time, it could backfire,” Kaif said in a video posted on his official YouTube channel.
The former India batter believes the selectors have pushed Shubman Gill into a situation he might not have wanted, which could create unnecessary pressure.
“My point is that don’t overburden him. He captains in Tests, bats at No. 4. He was made the vice-captain in the Asia Cup – will take over when Suryakumar Yadav steps aside. Now you’ve made him the ODI captain. I feel everything is being done in a hurry. A player never asks for captaincy. Everyone knows that he didn’t want it. You can’t demand it, but everyone seems to like him a lot and considers him a captain for the future. The selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, have pressurised him.”
‘Rohit Sharma Has Lost His Right Hand’
Kaif also questioned the logic behind removing Rohit Sharma, highlighting how such decisions can deeply impact a player’s confidence and form. The veteran batter, who recently guided India to a Champions Trophy title, will now feature only as a player in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, starting October 19.
“What wrong has Rohit Sharma done? It’s very unfortunate that we didn’t get a long captaincy run from Rohit. Not even 4 years. A great batter, an outstanding leader and as captain, he could have had an even more impressive captaincy record. When you snatch captaincy, I feel that a player loses his right hand,” mentioned Kaif.
Kaif further explained that Rohit’s identity as a cricketer has always been closely tied to his leadership, and removing that responsibility could have long-term consequences on his performances.
“Rohit Sharma, the opener and the leader, went hand-in-hand. Rohit doesn’t score 100s in each match, but in big matches – 76 in the Champions Trophy final. He will now be judged match by match, series by series. It’s an even playing field for everyone. I’m not sure whether he even wants to play now.”
Leadership Shift Carries Big Risks
Shubman Gill’s accelerated promotion to leadership is seen as part of a generational change, but Kaif’s remarks highlight the possible downsides of rushing the process. The decision not only puts extra pressure on Gill but also risks sidelining one of India’s most experienced players at a crucial stage in his career.
As India prepares for the Australia series and beyond, the focus will be on whether Gill can manage these heavy expectations — and how Rohit Sharma responds to life after captaincy.
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