In an impassioned 13-minute video shared on his YouTube channel, former India international Mohammed Kaif launched a scathing critique of the selectors’ choice to remove Rohit Sharma from the One-Day International (ODI) captaincy. He specifically pointed fingers at chief selector Ajit Agarkar, alleging that Gill was unduly pressured into taking over the leadership.
“What wrong has Rohit Sharma done? It’s truly unfortunate that he didn’t receive a longer run as captain – not even four full years,” Kaif stated emphatically. He lauded Rohit as a superb batter and an exceptional leader, suggesting that his captaincy record could have been even more remarkable. “When you snatch away the captaincy, I feel a player loses his right hand,” he added, highlighting the profound impact of such a decision.
Kaif firmly believes that the selectors should have waited until after the 2027 ODI World Cup to initiate any change in leadership. “This move was somewhat expected, but I genuinely thought it would only happen post-2027 World Cup. Rohit possesses immense quality and has significantly improved his fitness, making him a strong contender to play in the upcoming World Cup,” he explained.
However, Kaif also issued a cautionary note regarding the burgeoning responsibilities placed on Shubman Gill. “The burden is now falling heavily on Gill. He’s receiving all this in a tremendous rush, and it could potentially backfire. When a player is handed so much responsibility in such a short span, it can undoubtedly affect their performance,” he warned.
“My core argument is: do not overburden him,” Kaif emphasized. “He already captains in Tests, bats at number four, was made vice-captain in the Asia Cup, and is set to take over when Suryakumar Yadav steps aside. Now, he’s also been appointed as the ODI captain. I sense that everything is being expedited. A player rarely asks for the captaincy; everyone knows Gill didn’t actively seek it. While he’s widely admired and seen as a future captain, it appears the selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, have pressurized him into this role.”