Former Indian cricketer and selector Devang Gandhi believes that BCCI should look beyond Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and give chances to young players. Recently, a report said the upcoming Australia tour could be the last for both players. BCCI plans to make Shubman Gill the captain for the 2027 World Cup, which has raised doubts about Rohit and Kohli’s future in ODIs. Devang Gandhi says there is no doubt about Rohit and Virat’s contributions, but time waits for no one.
Devang Gandhi told the Times of India, “How can you leave out players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Sai Sudarshan when they have shown they can adapt? The big change is from T20 to Test cricket. Once a player does well in Tests and can play the power game, ODIs should be easier for him. It is very important that the selectors and team management sit together and make a decision.”
Gandhi on Game Time and Future Planning
Gandhi stressed that regular game time is very important. He urged the selectors to honestly decide if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can stay at their best for the next two years.
He said, “If, in a year, one of them is not performing well and the team needs someone else, won’t the management have enough time to prepare a new player for that spot?”
Captaincy and Shubman Gill’s Rise
The question of captaincy is also very important, and the selectors will have to make a decision. Shubman Gill has already shown he is ready to captain in Tests. With his current form, he is probably India’s best ODI batsman, with an average of 59.04 and a strike rate of 99.56. Gill’s good performances have earned him respect in the team, making him a strong choice for ODI captain. Gandhi concluded, “There is no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time waits for no one.”
