Ahead of India’s upcoming tour of South Africa, BCCI’s selection committee decided to appoint Rohit Sharma as the captain of the national team in the ODI format. The apex cricket body of India announced the news via a release on Wednesday, while it also informed that Rohit will continue leading the team in the shortest format as well.
It is worth noting that Kohli stepped down from T20I captaincy with the conclusion of India’s T20 World Cup campaign this year as announced before the mega event, his role in ODIs was also under doubt. The reports of Rohit replacing him in ODIs as skipper was already doing rounds on social media and BCCI just put the final confirmation on it.
Netizens were divided over the call of making Rohit the ODI skipper of India. While many opined that the Mumbaikar deserved the captaincy, others felt that the selection committee was “harsh” on Kohli.
Here are some of the tweets:
I think Virat will lose his interest in white ball eventually
— RaxSports (@imraks_m) December 8, 2021
Very good decision 👍 https://t.co/MD9WzFOc5t
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 8, 2021
❤️🇮🇳 captain #RohitSharma
— Manas pradhan (@Manaspr89054571) December 8, 2021
All the very best to Captain Rohit Sharma for his new role in the Indian Cricket Team.
May #TeamIndia Achieve Roaring Success and New Heights Under Your Leadership In All Formats !
— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) December 8, 2021
Yaah same emotion 🥺 @ImRo45 ❤️#RohitSharma | #IndvsSA | #ODI pic.twitter.com/VA2vID04jD
— Rohit Sharma Fanclub India (@Imro_fanclub) December 8, 2021
Rohit sharma… Being fat and no fitness.. Being obese.. Cannot run between the wickets.. No consistency.. Still he became captain at Age 35… Never ever give up… #rohitsharmafan #viratkholi #BCCI
— Reddy Boy (@iamreddyboy) December 8, 2021
Only failure of Virat Kohli as captain is not winning a WC so, if unfortunately Rohit Sharma fails to win a world Cup would @BCCI be asking him to step down and start looking for a new captain? It doesn't make sense.
— Shivachetan Patil (@ShivaPatilTweet) December 8, 2021
What if India wins a World Cup under #RohitSharma. He will become a #Dhoni level legend totally eclipsing #viratkholi
— Thomson Dcruz (@DcruzThomson) December 8, 2021
What still can't believe it #RohitSharma is the new captain bcoz #ViratKohli has no trophy!
Just wow @BCCI and senior committee you should be ashamed of removing a captain whose record in ODI is marvellous!
Change your name from BCCI to BCCIPL becoz that's how team is selected!
— Deepak Patade (@ImDeepak13) December 8, 2021
Key qu -did #ViratKohli quit #ODI Captaincy or has he been dumped?!
If #RohitSharma has been made ODI Skipper despite Virat wanting to continue, it may create friction in #TeamIndia dressing room.
— rajan mahan (@rajanmahan) December 8, 2021
Going in the South Africa tour, it will be Rohit’s first assignment as India’s full-time skipper in limited-overs. The Men in Blue are slated to play 3 ODIs in the Rainbow Nation after the Test series of as many matches gets over. Considering the T20 World Cup 2022 is also round the corner, Rohit will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders to prepare his men. Meanwhile, the following ODI World Cup in 2023 makes the challenge further tougher for Rohit.
