Months after guiding India to an unbeaten title win at the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma’s journey as India’s ODI captain came to an unexpected end. The selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, decided to hand over the reins to young Shubman Gill ahead of the crucial Australia tour. The move sparked mixed reactions among fans and experts, with many surprised by the timing of Rohit’s removal given his recent success.

However, Agarkar clarified that the decision was made with the long-term vision in mind — building a team for the 2027 ODI World Cup and giving the next leader ample time to grow into the role. Australia’s cricket legend Matthew Hayden weighed in on the development, suggesting that Rohit’s age might have been a decisive factor.

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“Rohit being axed as captain was an interesting move from afar. After such a great win in the Champions Trophy, I suppose the selectors are purely looking at the numbers. At 38, with a couple of years to go before the World Cup, he becomes a bit vulnerable purely because of his age,” Matthew Hayden said while speaking to JioHotstar.

Shubman Gill’s rise in leadership has been steady and calculated. After Rohit retired from Test cricket earlier this year, Gill was appointed as India’s new Test captain. He also serves as vice-captain in T20Is, and now with the ODI captaincy, the management is clearly aiming for consistency and continuity across formats.

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Praising the transition, Matthew Hayden added, “Gill’s talent and class are there for everyone to see. Like the eras of Virat and Dhoni, India continues to enjoy success under strong leadership. Making Gill captain now is a smart move — it allows him to learn from Rohit while he’s still around. And if Rohit makes it to the 2027 World Cup, that’s just a bonus.”