“It’s very difficult to have…”: Ajit Agarkar on Shubman Gill replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain

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In a major leadership change, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shubman Gill as India’s new ODI captain, replacing veteran skipper Rohit Sharma. The decision, aimed at long-term stability ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, has stirred debate among fans and pundits alike.

India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar, addressing the media after announcing the change, called it a “very difficult” decision but one that was “practically unavoidable.” He emphasized the need for continuity in leadership across formats to ensure smoother planning and execution as India enters a crucial four-year World Cup cycle.

“Obviously, at some stage you’ve got to start looking at where the next World Cup is. It’s also a format which is played the least now. So, you don’t get that many games to actually give the next guy, or if there is going to be another guy, that much time to prepare himself or plan.

“And we’re two years away still. It might look like a long time, but we don’t quite know how many one-day games we might take. Closer to the World Cup, we might end up playing a little bit more than what we have. But the last one-day game we played was, what, 8th or 9th March in Champions Trophy. And the next one we play is on October 19. So, it is a bit of a challenge with one-day cricket at the moment,” said Agarkar.

“Of course, the focus has been on T20 World Cup. But slowly we’ll start planning for that World Cup to come. So, as a plan, it gives the next guy enough time to plan with whatever games that we have coming. And it is very difficult to have three different captains for three formats. In terms of not just selectors, but more importantly, even for the coach, to plan with three different people is never easy,” he added.

The 26-year-old Gill, already India’s Test captain and T20 vice-captain, is now entrusted with the responsibility of leading across formats. His calm temperament, tactical awareness, and ability to perform under pressure have earned him the trust of the selectors and team management.

Agarkar noted that Gill has shown “positive signs under pressure” and displayed the maturity needed to handle the demands of leadership at the international level. “He’s still quite young. We saw what he did in England under immense pressure – really positive signs there,” Agarkar said. “Hopefully, there’s no burnout. But we’ll monitor his workload carefully.”

Gill’s rise through the ranks has been swift but steady. From breaking into the senior team as a top-order batsman to captaining in Tests and now leading the ODI side, his progression symbolizes India’s focus on youth-driven leadership and long-term planning.

The decision to move on from Rohit was not taken lightly. Agarkar was quick to acknowledge the veteran’s achievements, describing Rohit as one of India’s most successful ODI captains. Under his leadership, India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy and maintained a remarkable 76% win record in ODIs.

Also READ: 3 big reasons why Shubman Gill is the right successor to Rohit Sharma in ODIs for India

Agarkar admitted, “This wasn’t an easy decision. How Rohit has taken the change in captaincy is between him and the selection committee. But transitions are part of the game. To build a team ready for 2027, we needed to act early.”

While Rohit and Virat Kohli will continue as key players and mentors, the change signals a generational shift – a move designed to give Gill the experience and authority to shape his team well before the next World Cup.

The BCCI’s decision reflects its desire for continuity in leadership. With Gill at the helm of both the Test and ODI sides, and serving as vice-captain in T20Is, India aims to maintain a consistent approach in team culture, strategy, and communication.

Agarkar concluded, “We’re thinking about the future. This move is about giving the next leader enough time to build his team and take ownership. It’s about planning ahead, not reacting late.”

Also READ: Ajit Agarkar ends speculation on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI careers; reveals World Cup plan