• Source:JND
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Former captain Sourav Ganguly reacted to the big captaincy change in India's ODI team ahead of the all-important white-ball tour to Australia, which starts on October 19. India named Shubman Gill as the team's new ODI skipper, replacing Rohit Sharma from the role.

Ganguly called Gill's appointment as the new ODI skipper a fair call and not the worst decision. The recent development in Indian cricket didn't go down well amongst some fans, who reminded Rohit's incredible contribution as skipper, including the recent ICC Champions Trophy title earlier this year.

Amid mixed reactions, Ganguly went on to say that Rohit Sharma's removal as ODI captain was likely done in consultation with him. Rohit has been out of action since the IPL 2025, and his last international appearance came in the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand. The senior batter, along with Virat Kohli, has already retired from the T20Is and Test cricket.

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Meanwhile, in his debut series as Test captain, Gill-led India drew the five-match series in England.

"I think it has been done in consultation with Rohit, from outside... I don't know what's inside," Ganguly said on the sidelines of an event. "Somewhere down the line, I feel that it's a fair call. Rohit can keep playing, and in the meantime, you keep grooming a young captain. So, I really don't see a problem in that."

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The three-match ODI series in Australia will be followed by five T20I matches.

It is to be noted that the decision taken by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee also points to the future, looking at the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, when Rohit would be 40-plus and Virat Kohli will be 38.

"I am sure Rohit must have been spoken to. So, I don't know whether it's 'sacking' or anything. I am sure it is a mutual discussion. Because Rohit has been an outstanding leader.

"In the last two years, he has won the T20 World Cup. He has won the Champions Trophy. So, performance is not the issue with Rohit Sharma. And I think what's gone in the selectors' mind is, as he asked, in two years' time, he will be 40, when the World Cup happens in South Africa.

"He doesn't play T20 cricket. So, he will not be a part of the World Cup in 2026 in India. But when they go to 2027 in South Africa, he will be 40 years old. And that's a big number in sport. And he has played for so long. So, I don't think anybody is sure whether Rohit will actually play when he is 40. So, I don't think it's the worst decision. It happens to everyone."

"There will not be any exception even in the future -- 10 years down the line, when Shubman Gill gets close to 40 and scores 12,000-13,000 runs. He will also have to face this situation. Because, as you know, in sport, whether it's a (Roger) Federer, whether it's a (Pete) Sampras, whether it's a (Rafael) Nadal, whether it's a (Diego) Maradona, they all have to finish someday."