Indian Veteran Goes on Rant Over BCCI ‘Disrespecting’ Rohit Sharma

Shubman Gill had previously replaced Rohit Sharma as India’s red-ball captain following the latter's retirement from the longest format of the game.

Indian Veteran Goes on Rant Over BCCI ‘Disrespecting’ Rohit Sharma

Mohammed Kaif exclaimed that Rohit Sharma should have continued as India's ODI captain until the 2027 World Cup. (via Hindustan Times)

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Former India all-rounder Mohammad Kaif was left in disarray over the BCCI’s decision to remove Rohit Sharma from ODI captaincy, to make way for Shubman Gill. Kaif shared a video of a pensive rant on social media, where he slammed the selectors for ‘disrespecting’ the stalwart’s contribution.

The Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee, named the squad for the upcoming white-ball tour to Australia, while also making the big announcement of Shubman Gill’s appointment as new ODI captain, replacing veteran Rohit Sharma. Unlike Test cricket, Sharma is yet to call time on his ODI career, given his ambition to play for the Indian white-ball team at the next 2027 Cricket World Cup.

Chief selector Agarkar confirmed that he had spoken to Sharma before making the call, but did not reveal details of the conversation. Despite being sacked from captaincy, Sharma and fellow stalwart Virat Kohli have made it to the 16-member squad for the ODIs against Australia. It also marks their return to competitive cricket for India, having last in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand.

Rohit Sharma’s shock removal left former all-rounder Mohammad Kaif in agony, as he shared a ‘rant’ video on social media. Kaif slammed the BCCI over its decision, suggesting that the 38-year-old should have been given one year more in the captaincy role.

He pointed out the fact that Sharma dedicated 16 years to Indian cricket, while adding that he also won 15 out of the last 16 matches in ICC events as captain, losing only the 2023 WC final. Kaif shared his two cents on the BCCI’s decision:

Rohit Sharma gave India 16 years, but we couldn’t give him even one. As captain, he has won 15 out of 16 ICC events, losing one match, the 2023 final. We could not give him one year.

The 44-year-old further stated that Rohit Sharma won two successive ICC trophies over the past year, which should have implied in him retaining the ODI captaincy until the 2027 World Cup. Praising Sharma’s character, Kaif exclaimed that he displayed magnanimity by stepping away from Tests and T20Is in order to make way for younger players, and had skillfully guided the team through pressure situations.

There is an example in India that as long as your time is there, you should continue it, but Rohit [Sharma] did not do that. He taught many players everything, but we removed him from the captaincy.

Furthermore, Kaif also provided his opinion on Gill’s accession to the leadership role, stating that the 26-year-old has the potential to become a good captain. He however, noted that there was no need to rush into making the change, and that Rohit Sharma should have continued. 

Rohit Sharma Departs as India’s Most-Successful ODI Captain: A Review of His Dominant Numbers

With Shubman Gill being named India’s new ODI captain ahead of the white-ball tour to Australia, it marks an end to the Rohit Sharma captaincy era. Sharma is only active in the 50-over format, after having already announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is.

Rohit Sharma ODI captain records
Rohit Sharma bows out as India’s most successful ODI captain. (via News 18)

Rohit Sharma’s numbers as captain are highly impressive, as he bows out as India’s most successful ODI captain. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue won 42 out of the 56 matches played in. Among those who captained in at least 50 ODIs, only Clive Lloyd has a higher win-rate of 76.2 percentage. Rohit Sharma’s 75 percent win-rate puts him ahead of Indian legends like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly.

The 38-year-old’s success rate in multi-nation tournaments is all the more remarkable, with India having won two Asia Cup titles, in 2018 and 2023, and a Champions Trophy title in 2025. Rohit Sharma has only lost two matches out of the 27 that he led the team in at these multi-nation tournaments, giving him a win-rate of 88.8 percent, the best among captains all across the world.

Additionally, he has been a prolific batter in the format over the years, and remains the all-time 10th highest run-getter in ODIs. Rohit Sharma has scored 11,168 runs in 273 matches at an average of 48.76, hitting three double-centuries, 29 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

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