Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @hardikpandya93
Rohit Sharma’s 2024 ended on a challenging note, and his 2025 start has been similarly difficult. Following India’s loss in the Melbourne Test, speculation about his future in Test cricket continued into the new year.
The situation peaked on Thursday when Rohit “opted out” of the deciding Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Sydney due to his declining performances with the bat. With Rohit yet to clarify his future in the format, the uncertainty prompted the BCCI selection committee to consider leadership options for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
After retiring from T20I cricket last June following India’s T20 World Cup victory, Rohit handed over the captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav, who took charge a month later. In Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah, who previously captained India to a victory in Perth, seems likely to take on a more permanent leadership role in the format. Given the growing uncertainty around Rohit’s future across formats, and the ongoing transition within the Indian team under head coach Gautam Gambhir, reports suggest that the BCCI is exploring leadership alternatives for ODI cricket.
According to a report from My Khel, if Rohit’s role as ODI captain is reassessed or if the selectors decide to ease the pressure on the 37-year-old, Hardik Pandya could step into the leadership role.
The all-rounder has already captained India in white-ball formats over the last two years. “Hardik has the knack for leading in high-pressure situations, and his experience as an all-rounder and leader makes him an ideal choice for an ICC tournament like the Champions Trophy,” a source told My Khel.
India has generally avoided a split captaincy, and with Suryakumar Yadav not yet solidifying his position in the ODI setup, he is unlikely to be considered for the captaincy in the 50-over format. Other potential candidates include Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, though the report noted that Gill requires further development as a leader.
“Gill needs more grooming to mature into a leader, and SKY’s ODI performances haven’t been convincing enough. Hardik remains the most balanced option to lead India in ODIs if Rohit is unavailable,” the source added.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
