Former Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden recently weighed in on the decision to remove Rohit Sharma from India’s One Day International captaincy, ahead of their highly anticipated three-match series against Australia.
This significant leadership shift saw emerging talent Shubman Gill stepping into the ODI captain’s role, a move that followed India’s dominant innings and 140-run victory over West Indies in their recent Test match. Hayden observed this change with keen interest from afar.
Speaking to JioHotstar, Hayden shared his frank assessment: “Rohit being axed as captain was an interesting move from afar. After such a great win in the Champions Trophy, I suppose the selectors are purely looking at the numbers. At 38, with a couple of years to go before the World Cup, he becomes a bit vulnerable purely because of his age.”
He acknowledged Rohit’s immense contribution and consistent excellence. “The talent and class are always on display, and so is that magnificent body of work, not only in terms of his own performances, but also India’s success as a team. Very similar to the Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni eras, lots of success,” Hayden remarked.
Hayden believes the decision is a forward-thinking “insurance policy” aimed at developing future leaders. “But I guess it’s a bit of an insurance policy to bring on Shubman Gill, ensure he’s in charge across all formats, and particularly help him learn leadership while Rohit Sharma is still in the dressing room. It would just be a bonus if Rohit makes it to the next World Cup.”
The upcoming series against Australia will mark the return of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket, following their last appearance in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph.
“Between Rohit and Virat, you’re talking about almost 600 international games, an abundance of experience and workload. I really think they’ll have a great opportunity to perform on good tracks at the start of the Australian summer,” Hayden enthused. “Everyone is very excited to see them Down Under, and I expect them to be at their very best. Thirteen thousand runs for Virat, Rohit averaging nearly 50 in one-day cricket across 273 matches; it’s an exciting prospect.”
The former Australian opener also highlighted the critical importance of a well-rounded team in ODI cricket. “In my opinion, success in ODI cricket depends on having the right mix of youth and experience, and that’s exactly what Team India has,” he asserted. “The youthful energy of someone like Jaiswal, alongside the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, is vital. The same goes for bowling; you need that young, athletic energy because 50 overs is a long time in the field. India has a great balance right now, a blend of athleticism, passion, and experience. And I’m sure some of the senior players will already have one eye on the 2027 World Cup.”
The series is set to kick off at Perth’s impressive Optus Stadium this Sunday.
Hayden concluded by sharing his anticipation for the crowd’s reaction. “One thing you can always say about Australian fans is that they absolutely love seeing the very best athletes. They’ve celebrated Virat Kohli like their own, and the same goes for Rohit Sharma. The crowds are going to be magnificent,” he said. “Optus Stadium in Perth is an absolutely stunning venue, and with over a million Indians living and working here, there will be incredible support. They’ll celebrate Virat, they’ll celebrate Rohit, and even though many are Australians, they’ll want to see India win.”