Cricket News: Retaining Rohit Sharma as a skipper in ODIs will hinder Team India

Most believed his status as T20I captain at least would be in danger, and that appears to be true – all signs point to the BCCI naming Hardik Pandya as the team’s new captain in the shortest format of the game. 

However, the board has not decided to remove Rohit Sharma as captain in either Test or ODI cricket, meaning the educated assumption is that he will be retained. 

But how will that move work in the long run? And does it make sense to replace Rohit Sharma as white-ball captain instead of just in the T20I format? 

Let’s start with the first question – remaining with or sticking with Rohit Sharma in no way affects India in the long term. He was always a short-term, stop-gap option for captaincy. 

Indeed, many felt he would never get to lead Team India, but the circumstances surrounding Virat Kohli’s sudden exit from captaincy meant Rohit Sharma became the all-format skipper. 

So even if they choose to stick with him – which, it does, will be the case – it isn’t long term given Rohit is on the wrong side of 30 anyway. 

As such, it makes sense to stick with him for the time being. But that isn’t the only reason to keep faith in the Mumbaikar. 

The simple fact is that Rohit Sharma has only been the skipper of this side for a year. It would be massively unfair to take away his captaincy after just a year, regardless of India’s T20 World Cup exit. 

Thus, the board is doing the right thing in remaining with Rohit Sharma for the time being in the ODI format. 

As for any concerns about his form, it cannot be denied that he has looked off with the bat for quite a while now. But ODIs are the perfect format for him to focus on to find form. 

Firstly, the legend of Rohit Sharma, the white-ball cricketer, came about primarily due to his exploits in ODI cricket. The three double tons, the numerous daddy hundreds – all came in 50 overs cricket. 

Recent times have shown that a veteran can struggle in T20Is but still be an asset in ODI cricket. David Warner and Steve Smith did well for Australia during the ODI series against England. 

Even Kane Williamson looks far more at home in the 50-over format and has been performing well against India. 

So sticking with Rohit Sharma and allowing him time to find form as a player and captain makes sense. It also gives him one more bite at the apple to win an ICC trophy. 

That’s not to say it would be wrong if the board chose to entirely move away from Rohit Sharma as white-ball captain – but there’s no downside to keeping him on as skipper for another year either.