Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly supported BCCI’s decision to hand over India’s ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, calling it an appropriate decision. He further said that the removal of Rohit Sharma from the post of ODI captain was done in consultation with the Champions Trophy-winning captain.
Indian youngster Shubman Gill was appointed captain of the Indian ODI team following his success in the longest format of the game in the upcoming tour of Australia. With his appointment, former captain Rohit Sharma, who led India to two consecutive ICC titles between 2024 and 2025, has been removed from the role despite his presence in the Indian team.
Sourav Ganguly supports ignoring Rohit Sharma as Indian ODI captain
Ganguly claimed that Rohit Sharma’s removal as ODI captain was probably done in consultation with the ICC tournament-winning captain. “I think it has been done from outside in consultation with Rohit… I don’t know what is inside,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI.
“Somehow, I think it is a fair decision. Rohit can continue playing and in the meantime, you will keep grooming a young captain. So, I don’t really see any problem in it.” India will play three ODIs in Australia from October 19, followed by a five-match T20 series from October 29.
Ganguly said, “I am sure Rohit would have been talked to. So, I don’t know if it is ‘dismissal’ or something else. I am sure it is a mutual discussion because Rohit has been an excellent leader.”
He further said that Rohit Sharma’s increasing age can be cited as a major reason for his exclusion from the 2027 ICC World Cup. The former BCCI president commented, “He does not play T20 cricket. So, he will not be a part of the World Cup in 2026 in India. But when he is in South Africa in 2027, he will be 40. And that is a big number in the game.”
Sourav Ganguly has supported the appointment of Shubman Gill as the Indian captain.
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has supported the decision to hand over India’s ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill and “Fair call and not the worst decision.” In the five-match Test series against England, Shubman scored 754 runs with four top-class centuries.
Praising Gill’s rise as captain, Ganguly said: “It’s too early. For the England tour, I thought he was brilliant. I have watched the five-Test series. The way he has played and the way he has captained the team is extraordinary.”
He concluded, “That’s why he has been made the captain of the ODI team for the future. He has a lot of potential both as a player and captain.”
Ganguly supports Agarkar’s demand to let Rohit and Virat play domestic cricket
On Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future in the national team, Sourav Ganguly said age and performance will ultimately decide their fate, but has asked them to play domestic cricket.
“Yes, 40 is a very old age. It depends on him – how fit he stays, how much cricket he plays and how many runs he scores. It is not easy to play just one format. Yes, he will play IPL, but that is only for two months in the year.
“As I said, it depends on how fit they (Rohit and Virat) stay and how much they perform. Whatever opportunity they get, they will have to play domestic cricket.”
“He has to play domestic cricket. That’s it. If he keeps doing that and keeps performing, he will play for India,” he said.
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