Rohit Sharma’s old ‘Let them earn it’ remark resurfaces after Shubman Gill’s appointment as ODI captain

Indian batting stalwart Rohit Sharma’s old comment from the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has resurfaced just days after Shubman Gill was appointed India’s new ODI captain. In the viral clip, Rohit emphasized that young players must earn the right to lead India.

During an interview on Day 2 of the Sydney Test against Australia in early 2025, the cricketer was asked about who could lead India in the future. The then-captain avoided naming anyone but stressed that the young players need to earn the position and understand the importance of the game. He spoke about the transition of the captaincy and regarded Jasprit Bumrah in that role.

"Very difficult to answer this. There are a lot of good guys. But, I want to tell something to the young boys: ‘first, understand the importance of cricket. Understand the gravity of international cricket’. I know they should be given responsibility. But, let them earn it. Let’s them play some hard-fought cricket for the next few years. Let them earn it. See, there is Jasprit Bumrah now, before that there was Virat Kohli, before that there was MS Dhoni. Everybody earned it. No one got it on a platter. He has a good idea of the game. He is class in the way he sets an example for others with the way he bowls. He has class. He keeps the team ahead always. I have seen him for the last 11 years. His graph has gone upwards. He has evolved a lot. He has taken his game and thinking ahead. Bowling, the entire world is seeing it. He has become very good," Rohit Sharma said on Star Sports.

Rohit makes first public appearance after captaincy snub

Under his leadership, India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final and went on to win the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. However, the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar opted for handing the duties, citing the need to prepare a younger leader for the 2027 ODI World Cup. 

Agarkar confirmed that Rohit was informed about the decision, though he refused to elaborate on the conversation. Recently, at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, Rohit made his first public appearance since the captaincy change and spoke about the upcoming ODI series against Australia

"Look, I love that team, loved playing with them and it's a journey that we were all into for many years. It's not about one year or two years of work. It was about getting into work from many years. We'd come so close to winning that trophy many times but we couldn't just get over the line. That is where everyone decided that we need to do something different. There's always a thought of doing that and then actually going and doing that. It cannot be done by one or two players. I love playing against Australia, love going there, people in Australia love cricket a lot," Rohit said