In a landmark decision signalling the start of a new era, the Indian selectors on Saturday (October 4) removed Rohit Sharma from ODI captaincy and passed over the baton to young opener Shubman Gill, with the 2027 World Cup firmly in sight.
This ended Rohit’s nearly four-year tenure as the full-time skipper of the ODI team after he retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue won the T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025 while they also reached the final of the ODI World Cup 2023.
Reacting to the development, former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar hoped that communication with Rohit was done in the right manner regarding the change in ODI leadership.
Nayar said he has no issues with the change as long as Rohit was on the same page with the selectors.
"For me, there’s only one thing. Look, as long as that discussion happened with him, as long as he was on the same page, if he also said, 'Yes, we have to look forward, we want to give Shubman Gill a chance, and I’ll be there in that dressing room with you to help him through it,' then I am all for it," Nayar said while speaking to Star Sports.
"I think it’s a great decision because you’ve kept the captain (Rohit) in the loop. You’ve given him that responsibility — 'help us take this team forward like you did till now.' I feel he deserves that much," he added.
Nayar further stated that question about communication from the selectors can be answered by Rohit only and the move to make Gill captain was the right one.
"And that’s a question only he can answer, because for me that’s the only thing. Apart from that, any decision you take — it’s not wrong. Shubman Gill, we all knew someday he was going to be captain, and he should be, because he’s that kind of player."
"But for me, there’s just one thing: if you’re going to do it, then do it right. If you’re going to have this communication, then — I always believe — communication takes time. It’s not a phone call. You sit together and talk it through," said Nayar.
During the squad announcement presser, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that there was clear communication with Rohit Sharma about the captaincy change decision.
