India will have a new ODI captain if Rohit Sharma steps down. Photo: AP
Rohit Sharma's future will be in focus after the 2025 Champions Trophy final, scheduled to take place on Sunday (March 9). Even though Shubman Gill said that there has been no discussion surrounding Rohit's future, the fans are expecting an update on the captain. Rohit's future could rely on the CT final's result.
While there has been no official update on Rohit's future yet, a report has claimed Hardik Pandya could come back into contention if there's a change in the leadership role.
Jagran News has reported that Hardik is in the race to become the ODI captain. This means that Shubman Gill will remain the vice-captain. The India opener was appointed the vice-captain starting the series against Sri Lanka.
As for Hardik, he was ignored for the T20I captaincy after the 2024 World Cup. The star all-rounder was Rohit's deputy in the ICC event and looked set to replace him. But the selectors chose Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik was dropped from the leadership role altogether.
His success in white-ball cricket could bring him back into the leadership role. The report adds that KL Rahul could also come into contention for ODI captaincy if both Hardik and Gill aren't appointed.
An official word on Rohit will only be out after the CT final. He could continue as the captain if the Men in Blue win the elusive title. He and Virat Kohli quit T20I cricket after winning the 2024 T20 WC. Both continue to play Tests and ODIs.
Rohit Sharma's success as captain
Rohit Sharma has enjoyed huge success as the white-ball captain. Under him, India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. They will play the 2025 CT final on March 9. The Men Blue clinched one T20 WC under Rohit. Rohit is the only captain to take India to the finals of all 4 ICC events.
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