• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

India vs Australia: Indian opener Rohit Sharma was recently relieved of his duties as captain of the ODI side as the BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India) announced a 15-player squad for the Australian tour on Saturday. As per a report, BCCI, to avoid getting the team culture impacted, appointed Gill as captain for the three-match ODI series. On his decision to remove Rohit, BCCI's chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that keeping three different captains across formats is practically impossible.

The report by TOI (Times of India), the selectors felt that Rohit dictating things in his own way could have spoiled the team culture.

"A player of Rohit's stature in a leadership role would have meant he would get to drive his philosophy in the dressing room. But with him playing only in ODIs, a format which is played the least, it could have disturbed the team culture," a BCCI source was quoted by TOI.

Gambhir Got More Involved Post Defeats Against NZ, AUS

The report further stated that the head coach Gautam Gambhir was not heavily invested in the first six months in Tests and ODIs. However, defeats against New Zealand (3-0) at home in Tests and Australia (3-1) down under made him take things in his own hands.

Also Read: Siraj explains why Bumrah was rested for the Oval test during IND vs ENG

"Gambhir had taken a back seat in Tests and ODIs in the first six months of his assignment, but the debacles against New Zealand and Australia prompted him to take charge more firmly," the source added.

The report also revealed that the selectors didn't want to take a chance if Rohit and Virat lost their form just before 2027.

"It has been a collective effort by Gambhir and Agarkar. They understand that it will be tough for both Rohit and Kohli to be at their peak after two years, given that they are in their late 30s. They didn't want to be caught off guard if suddenly Rohit or Kohli's form dipped. It would have created chaos in the leadership group," the BCCI source said.

Also Read: Siraj on bowling the pivotal spell during Oval test

"The duo announcing retirement from Tests days before the selection for the England tour was a case in point. The team won the Champions Trophy and two Tests in England even without Bumrah," the source added.