NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Indian National Team Cricket Head Coach Gautam Gambhir is facing sharp criticism from fans after an old video of him praising Rohit Sharma for the national team captaincy resurfaced on social media. The video has reignited debate after the BCCI recently removed Rohit as the ODI captain, handing leadership duties to Test captain Shubman Gill. In the viral clip, released before Rohit became India’s full-time captain, Gambhir lauded the 37-year-old for his leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“If Rohit Sharma doesn’t become the India captain, it’s India’s misfortune, not Rohit Sharma’s,” Gambhir said in the video. “If he doesn’t become the captain in white-ball cricket or T20 cricket, it’s a shame. Rohit Sharma cannot do anything more than this.”
Fans quickly took to social media to express their disappointment, questioning Gambhir’s earlier statements given the recent ODI captaincy change. Reports indicate that Gambhir, along with India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar, played a key role in the decision to hand over the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill. The decision marks a significant shift in India’s leadership structure as the team prepares for upcoming international tournaments.
Rohit Sharma led India in 56 ODIs, achieving 42 wins, 12 losses, one no-result, and one tie. His win percentage of 75 percent places him among the world’s most successful white-ball captains. Under Rohit’s captaincy, India won the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cup titles. The team also finished as runners-up in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at home and claimed the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai this year.
Since taking over as full-time ODI captain in February 2022 against the West Indies, Rohit has guided India to 34 wins out of 46 matches, with just 10 losses, one tie, and one no-result. During this period, he scored 1,963 runs in 45 matches at an average of 47.87 and a strike rate of 116.84. He registered three centuries and 15 fifties. Among players who captained in at least 20 ODIs, Rohit held the best strike rate.
Shubman Gill, recently appointed as ODI captain, has already set his sights on the 2026 World Cup in South Africa. India is expected to play around 20 ODIs in the lead-up to the tournament. Gill aims to maintain India’s winning momentum and lift the coveted trophy. Gill’s leadership comes at a time when India is balancing experience and youth in its squad. Analysts suggest that his calm approach and strategic mindset could benefit the team in high-pressure situations.
Fans’ reactions to Gambhir’s video have been intense. Many questioned why Gambhir had previously endorsed Rohit so strongly, only to support a leadership change behind the scenes. Others defended Gambhir, arguing that the coach and selectors decided in the best interest of Indian cricket.
