Gautam Gambhir Faces Backlash as Old Praise for Rohit Sharma Resurfaces Amid ODI Captaincy Change

Former India opener and current head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing online criticism after a video clip from several years ago resurfaced, in which he lauded Rohit Sharma’s leadership qualities. The controversy comes just days after the BCCI replaced Rohit as India’s ODI captain, handing the reins to Test captain Shubman Gill.

The Viral Video

In the footage, recorded before Rohit assumed the captaincy of the national team, Gambhir is seen praising the veteran opener for his IPL leadership.

“If Rohit Sharma doesn’t become India captain, it’s India’s misfortune, not his,” Gambhir says in the clip.
“If he doesn’t lead in white-ball cricket or T20s, it’s a shame because Rohit Sharma cannot do anything more than this.”

The video has reignited discussions among fans and cricket analysts about Gambhir’s influence and the role of selectors, including chief selector Ajit Agarkar, in the leadership transition.

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Rohit Sharma’s ODI Legacy

Rohit’s record as ODI captain is impressive by any standard:

• Matches: 56 ODIs

• Wins: 42

• Losses: 12

• No-result/Tie: 2

• Win percentage: 75%

Under Rohit, India captured the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cups, finished runners-up at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, and won the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai in 2025.

Since assuming full-time ODI captaincy in February 2022, India won 34 out of 46 matches, losing just 10. Rohit contributed 1,963 runs in 45 matches, averaging 47.87 with a strike rate of 116.84, including three centuries and 15 fifties. His aggressive captaincy and batting made him one of the most statistically successful white-ball leaders globally.

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Shubman Gill Takes the Helm

Following the leadership change, Shubman Gill has been tasked with leading India through the upcoming ODI calendar and preparing for the World Cup in South Africa. The team is expected to play approximately 20 ODIs leading up to the tournament, with Gill aiming to build momentum and lift the coveted trophy.

Fans and analysts are now debating how the transition from Rohit’s experienced captaincy to Gill’s leadership will impact India’s performance in the high-stakes white-ball calendar.