Champions Trophy 2025: After Bumrah; Hardik Pandya in contention for India captaincy in place of Rohit Sharma - Report

Hardik Pandya in contention for India captaincy in place of Rohit Sharma. (Photo: PTI)

Team India captain Rohit Sharma's rough patch has carried over from the end of 2024 into the start of 2025. The year began much as the previous one ended—amid the aftermath of India's loss in the Melbourne Test, with widespread speculation about Rohit's future in Test cricket. The buzz reached its peak on Thursday when the India captain reportedly "opted out" of the series-deciding Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney, following a string of underwhelming performances with the bat. As Rohit remains silent on his Test future, the uncertainty has prompted the BCCI's selection committee to explore alternative leadership options ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Amid growing speculation about Rohit Sharma's future across formats and the clear shift towards transition under head coach Gautam Gambhir, a report by My Khel suggests that the BCCI is already considering alternative leadership options in ODI cricket.

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The report indicates that if Rohit's position as ODI captain comes under review, or if the selectors opt to reduce the workload on the 37-year-old, Hardik Pandya could be a strong contender for the role. The all-rounder has already gained valuable experience leading the team in white-ball formats over the past two years.

"Hardik has the knack for leading in high-pressure situations, and his experience as an all-rounder and leader makes him an ideal choice for an ICC tournament like the Champions Trophy," a source told MyKhel.

Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is last June after India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, with Suryakumar Yadav assuming the captaincy the following month. In Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah, who previously guided India to a commanding victory in Perth, now appears set to take over as the national team’s leader in the longest format.

The report also dismissed Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav as potential candidates for the role.

“Gill needs more grooming to mature into a leader, and SKY’s ODI performances haven’t been convincing enough. Hardik remains the most balanced option to lead India in ODIs if Rohit is unavailable," the source added.