Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar has recently been identified as a key figure behind Rohit Sharma’s removal from ODI captaincy, paving the way for Shubman Gill to lead India in ODIs ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The rationale, according to Agarkar, was to avoid having three separate captains across formats—Gill in ODIs, Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is—and to give the younger leader enough time in charge.
However, this isn’t the first time Rohit has been removed from leadership under Agarkar’s influence. Former teammate and Indian team ex-batting coach Abhishek Nayar recently shared a lesser-known story from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy days.
“Not many know this, but Rohit was removed from stand-in captaincy for the Mumbai team, even though we won that year,” Nayar said on a podcast with Aashish Kaushik. “Ajit Agarkar was the captain. When he got injured, Rohit led for two games, but they said ‘ye paagal hai’ (he is mad). The notion in Mumbai was: ‘cricketer unbelievable, but captain moody.’”
Interestingly, Nayar took over as captain after Rohit’s temporary stint. Reflecting on Rohit’s growth, Nayar added,
“From that Rohit Sharma to now… his vision and thought process for both team and individuals is amazing. He gives roles to everyone, ensures accountability, and cares deeply for players like Kuldeep Yadav and Shreyas Iyer.”
The story highlights Rohit’s evolution from a moody stand-in captain to one of India’s most respected leaders in white-ball cricket.
