If the news regarding Rohit Sharma’s future proves to be true then the Indian national cricket team may be heading towards another big controversy. According to a report in Cricblogger, the selectors are considering moving on from the experienced opener, a decision that could have consequences beyond Rohit Sharma’s career.
The report claims that if Rohit Sharma is dropped from the team, he may bring head coach Gautam Gambhir with him, as the anti-Gambhir narrative is expected to gain momentum. Notably, neither the BCCI, nor Rohit nor Gautam Gambhir have commented publicly on these claims.
Why can Rohit Sharma face Gautam Gambhir after being out of ODI?
According to Cricblogger’s report, Rohit is unlikely to be ruled out of the ODI without giving a public reply. Sources cited in the report claimed that the veteran batsman believes that several recent decisions have gone against him and he may attempt to counter the narrative surrounding his departure.
Gautam Gambhir has reportedly been pushing for changes regarding Rohit’s place in the Indian team for some time now. It further claimed that if the 39-year-old is eventually dropped from the ODI setup, he could draw attention to the role played by the head coach in those decisions.
Such a scenario could create new challenges for Gambhir, whose position inside the dressing room has weakened in recent months, and create insecurity inside the team.
What was the reason for the dispute between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir?
The news of the rift in Rohit and Gautam Gambhir’s relationship came after India’s tough Test season.
After replacing Rahul Dravid as the head coach, the then Indian captain initially gave a lot of freedom to Gambhir. Unlike the previous coaching setup, where Dravid largely allowed the captain to control cricketing decisions on the field, Gambhir is said to have gradually started taking on a much more influential role.
Following India’s defeat against New Zealand in the home Test, Gambhir assumed greater control of team affairs ahead of the third Test of the series. From that point on, he effectively became the primary decision maker on many cricketing issues.
The relationship between Rohit and Gambhir deteriorated after several big calls. These reportedly included discussions on Jasprit Bumrah leading India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit being dropped from the playing XI for the Sydney Test and leadership change after India’s Champions Trophy win.
These developments created tension between the two senior figures, although neither Rohit nor Gambhir have publicly acknowledged any disagreement.
How Gautam Gambhir pressured Rohit Sharma to drop him from ODIs
The report further alleged that Gautam Gambhir played a key role in the discussions regarding Rohit’s ODI future.
According to the report, the head coach supported the idea of moving on from Rohit as India begin preparations for the next ODI World Cup cycle. Sources claimed that Gambhir’s views coincide with those of a senior selector who has reportedly been influential in recent selection decisions.
However, the proposal to remove Rohit from the ODI setup has not been viewed positively by everyone inside the Indian dressing room. It claimed that Gambhir’s credibility among many players has been damaged following recent selection decisions.
Furthermore, uncertainty over selection has become a recurring issue within the team, with frequent changes leaving many players unsure of their long-term roles.
Why Rohit Sharma may refuse to go quietly
According to the same report, Rohit’s reaction to being dropped from the probable ODI squad could go beyond simply accepting the decision.
The opening batsman can use his extensive public relations network to challenge the narrative surrounding his exit and draw attention to the management’s handling of the situation.
In Rohit Sharma’s view, the matter is no longer limited to losing his place in the team, but has become a matter of his prestige, legacy and standing in Indian cricket.
The report drew comparisons with the reaction to Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain, and Gautam Gambhir could find himself in a similar situation.