‘Why keep him in the team?’ - Former selector questions Rohit Sharma’s inclusion for Australia tour

Former Indian selector Saba Karim has questioned veteran Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning on October 19. The BCCI announced the 15-member squad, marking Rohit’s return to the team for the first time since India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph.

However, the opener has been relieved of captaincy duties, with Shubman Gill appointed as the new skipper. Karim questioned Rohit’s place in the squad, given his removal from captaincy, suggesting that the selectors may not be considering him for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He also described the decision as abrupt and unnecessary.

“If you haven’t made him the captain, then why are you still keeping him in the team? It clearly shows that you don’t see him as part of the future, that he won’t be there for the 2027 World Cup. In that case, you shouldn’t keep a player in the team whom you don’t see as part of your plans for 2027. Then whether he remains captain or not, or even a player or not, doesn’t really matter. That’s why I said the selectors have acted in great haste with Rohit Sharma, and there was no need for it,” Karim said on KADAK.

The former cricketer further noted that by the next home season, Gill could become India’s all-format captain, acknowledging the 25-year-old’s potential to take on the role. Meanwhile, the Indian Test captain will return to action on Friday, October 10, leading India in the second Test of the two-match series against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

“You have elevated him and even made him the vice-captain in T20s. Now that you have made him captain, the thought is that very soon, maybe by the next season, we will see Shubman Gill leading in all three formats. Looking at it this way, their thinking seems correct. They feel that there is no other capable leader, and that’s why they are pushing Shubman at this time. He has also shown good captaincy, performing well in Test cricket. Now we will see how he does in ODIs, but yes, he has the capabilities to become a captain,” Karim said.