END OF ERA :- In October 2025, Rohit Sharma was relieved of the ODI captaincy, with Shubman Gill taking over.
Now Indian ODI Captain is Shubman Gill and Vice Captain Shreyas Iye.
Early Life and Rise
Rohit Gurunath Sharma was born on 30 April 1987 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. He grew up in Mumbai, where he spent much of his childhood, getting coached and honing his cricket skills in local academies. Over time, his batting talent, especially in white-ball cricket, began to be recognised, and he gradually made his way through domestic ranks to the national side.
He made his ODI debut in June 2007 against Ireland. Over the years, Rohit transformed from a middle‑order batsman to a world‑class opening batsman, especially in limited overs formats, and became one of India’s premier batters across formats. (Source: Wikipedia)
International Career Highlights and Records
Rohit Sharma’s record is rich and varied, spanning over more than a decade of high-level cricket. Some of his career highlights and major achievements:
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In ODIs, he has scored more than 11,000 runs (as of recent records) with 32 centuries.
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In Test cricket, he scored 4,301 runs in 67 matches before his Test retirement.
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In T20 Internationals, he has also been a key performer, though he has already retired from international T20s after leading India to a T20 World Cup victory in 2024.
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His leadership achievements: under his captaincy, India won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
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He also played key roles in India’s success in ICC events and bilateral series, often being in the mix for match-winning innings.
Rohit is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen of his generation, especially for his flair, ability to accelerate, and consistency across formats.
Captaincy Tenure and Roles
Over time, Rohit took on leadership roles in various formats:
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In limited overs (ODI, T20) cricket, he was given captaincy roles periodically, eventually taking on more permanent leadership duties.
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For T20 Internationals, he served as captain until his retirement from that format in 2024. (After India won the T20 World Cup 2024, he announced stepping away from T20Is.).
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In Test cricket, Rohit was appointed as captain in certain series, and at one point held the Test captaincy.
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For ODIs, he was India’s full-time captain from December 2021 onward.
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His leadership was praised by many former cricketers and commentators, some calling him among the best leaders India has had.
Relinquishing Test Captaincy / Test Retirement
In May 2025, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket, via an Instagram story, making it clear that this was not a retirement from all formats. He said he would continue to play in ODIs.
His decision came amid a lean patch—he had struggled in recent Test matches, scoring just 36 runs across three Tests in one stretch, and a generally low return in the 2024–25 series.
By retiring from the red-ball format, he effectively vacated the Test captaincy role. Shubman Gill later took over the Test captaincy from him, and in his debut series as Test captain, Gill scored heavily and led India to a 2–2 draw in England.
Relinquishing ODI Captaincy as of 2025
A more recent development in 2025 is that Rohit Sharma has been relieved of the ODI captaincy. On 4 October 2025, the BCCI announced that Shubman Gill would be India’s new ODI captain, beginning with the upcoming series against Australia.
Although Rohit and Virat Kohli were named in the squad for that series, they would no longer lead the team in ODIs.
Reasons Behind the Change
The decision has been explained by selectors and BCCI officials as a strategic move:
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Simplification of leadership: Ajit Agarkar (chief selector) said that managing three different captains across formats (Test, ODI, T20) is “practically impossible” from planning, team structure, and coaching perspectives.
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Succession planning: With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, the board wants to give the next generation (Gill) enough time to settle into leadership in the 50-over format.
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Format frequency: ODIs are being played less frequently compared to the past. Hence, the window for a captain to adapt and prepare is smaller.
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Despite stepping down from captaincy, Rohit’s place in the squad (as a batting specialist) was not considered in danger at the time of the announcement.
Reactions and Criticism
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Harbhajan Singh voiced disappointment, saying that Rohit’s experience and leadership deserved more respect, and that Shubman’s appointment could have waited.
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Many fans and former players felt it was “abrupt” and that Rohit should have been given a farewell series as captain, especially after delivering ICC titles.
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Some saw it as part of a generational shift and accepted the necessity of long-term planning.
Legacy, Future, and What’s Next
Legacy
Rohit Sharma leaves behind an impressive legacy:
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A class apart as an opening batsman, especially in limited overs.
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A captain who delivered silverware—ICC trophies and many bilateral series.
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A leader respected, often praised by former greats.
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One who transitioned through roles: from middle order to opening, from player to captain, and across formats.
His legacy will be judged not only by his runs and centuries but also by how well he mentored and led his teammates, the confidence he inspired, and how seamlessly India could hand over leadership.
Future Role
Even after stepping down as captain from both Tests and ODIs, Rohit is expected to continue contributing:
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As a batter in ODIs (for now), as he has not announced full international retirement in ODIs.
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As a senior presence and mentor in the dressing room, especially for younger players including the new captains.
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Possibly making selective appearances and being a reliable match-winner in his favored format (ODIs).
However, uncertainties remain: whether he will play until 2027, his form, fitness, and how many opportunities India will have in the ODI format leading up to the next World Cup.
Summary
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Rohit Sharma is one of India’s premier cricketers, excelling as a batsman and having a decorated international career across formats.
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In May 2025, he retired from Test cricket, stepping down from Test captaincy while intending to continue in ODIs.
In October 2025, he was relieved of the ODI captaincy, with Shubman Gill taking over.
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The shift was framed as a strategic, forward-looking move by selectors to streamline leadership and prepare for upcoming ICC events.
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The decision drew mixed reactions—admiration, disappointment, but also recognition of the necessity for transition.