Australia national cricket team legend Matthew Hayden has termed India’s decision to sack Rohit Sharma and bring in Shubman Gill as ODI captain as an “interesting move”.
Matthew Hayden reckons Rohit Sharma has been ruled out solely due to age, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to hand the leadership to Shubman Gill as an “insurance policy”.
At 38, with a few years to go before the World Cup, he gets a bit vulnerable – Matthew Hayden
BCCI sacked Rohit Sharma as ODI captain ahead of the Australia tour despite being an exceptional leader and winning consecutive ICC trophies.
He made India a dominant force in world cricket and ended a wait of over a decade for an ICC title by leading India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Rohit has captained India from the front in all the tournaments and played sensational innings at the top. He has already retired from Test and T20I cricket and is now eyeing a place in India’s 2027 World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Matthew Hayden said that age makes Rohit Sharma a weaker player.
Hayden said on Geostar, “Rohit being removed from the captaincy was an interesting move from a distance. After such a big win in the Champions Trophy, I think the selectors are completely looking at the numbers. At 38, with a couple of years to go before the World Cup, he has become a bit vulnerable due to his age.”
It will be a bonus if Rohit plays in the next World Cup – Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden further said that Shubman Gill will get to learn from his predecessor in the dressing room and Rohit Sharma making it to the next 50-over World Cup will be a bonus for India. He said:
“The talent and class is always on display, and his work is also brilliant, not only in terms of his own performances, but also in terms of India’s success as a team. Similar to the Virat and Dhoni era, a lot of success.”
“But I think bringing in Shubman Gill is a kind of insurance policy, making sure he is in charge across all formats, and especially helping him learn leadership while Rohit Sharma is still in the dressing room. It will be a bonus if Rohit makes it to the next World Cup.”
Also read: Virat Kohli, Rohit taught Shubman Gill about captaincy: Indian teammate made a big revelation
Having Rohit Sharma in the house, having Virat in the house is gold – Matthew Hayden
In another conversation, Matthew Hayden said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play the role of mentors in the Indian dressing room.
“To have Rohit at home, to have Virat at home, it is gold. They are not just players; they are mentors in the dugout. I hope this is not their last [tour]But unfortunately you can’t play forever,” he said.
“Look, it’s more likely. But he has his mind set on the 2027 World Cup. And he should too. I was really surprised that after the Champions Trophy, Rohit was removed as captain. But I also understand it. Shubman Gill is being groomed. It takes time to build a leader,” Hayden said at the Test Twenty launch.
