Leg and off: Should BCCI sack Rohit Sharma as Test captain ahead of BGT 2024-25?
Rohit Sharma endured undoubtedly his worst moment as Indian captain as his side suffered an embarrassing 0-3 home Test series whitewash to New Zealand. While the outcome was unfathomable, how India unraveled under all the possible circumstances was a real cause for pause and deep introspection.
If bounce and seam movement undid the Indian batters in the opening Test in Bengaluru, it was all but the Kiwi spinners outdoing the hosts in their own game over the next two Tests in Pune and Mumbai.
Several questions were raised about Rohit's captaincy moves - often defensive and reactive, and the skipper himself acknowledged being below his best in the post-series press conference.
"Definitely, you know, something like this will be a very low point in my career, you know, having lost three games at home. And, yes, we, I fully take the responsibility for that as a captain and as a leader as well. I have not been at the best of my abilities right from the start of the series. And yeah, with the bat as well, I've not been good enough," he said via ESPNCricinfo.
Things don't get any easier for Team India with a daunting Australian tour, consisting of five Tests, starting in under three weeks. With the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final qualification in jeopardy, discussions have swirled around Rohit possibly being sacked as captain for the all-important Australian series.
As stunning as such a development in a matter of three weeks sounds, we break down the different factors to find out whether India should replace Rohit as captain for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
#1 Overall Numbers tease the Fair or Foul question
Here are the facts - Even with the 0-3 defeat to New Zealand, Rohit Sharma boasts a winning record as captain in Tests. In 21 games, Rohit has led India to 12 wins, seven losses, and two draws with a winning percentage of over 57.
For context, only Virat Kohli has a better record of 58.82 winning percentage among Indian Test captains with at least 20 games at the helm. Rohit had also led India to victory in five of the six Test series before the New Zealand affair, with the other one being a drawn series in South Africa - a place where India has never won a Test series.
Hence, the overall numbers even with the New Zealand blemish clearly do not warrant Rohit's sacking. Yet, we live in a world where the latest occurrence is the only occurrence.
By that, the 37-year-old added to his captaincy hat several unwanted records, including becoming the first Indian captain to suffer a home Test series whitewash with at least three or more matches.
India had also won 18 consecutive home Test series before the New Zealand shock - a streak that dates back to the end of 2012.
The fairer side of the equation may be to look at Rohit's overall performance and continue with him as captain. Yet, in this 'results or resolution' world we live in, such a humiliating defeat at home may also be seen as a point of no return.
Verdict: Neither fair nor foul
#2 Is the timing right for such a move?
A Test series in Australia is arguably the biggest event on an Indian calendar and the upcoming tour is even more important, considering India's position in the WTC standings and their history against the Aussies in recent bilateral series.
India has won the last four Test series against Australia, including two down under and the prospect of recording the improbable hattrick of series wins in Australia is no small thing.
Yet, an Aussie tour is also one where things can go downhill quickly if the visiting team is full of uncertainties and lacks stability. Should India replace Rohit with Jasprit Bumrah or someone else in the squad as captain, a first-time captain might find it all too challenging in the hostile Aussie environment.
However, there have also been reports stating that Rohit might miss the first Test due to personal reasons. Should that come true, India will anyway have Bumrah starting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as captain.
Hence, to maintain continuity on such a crucial tour, the team management might consider replacing Rohit with Bumrah even before the start of the series to ensure clarity.
Verdict: Rohit's participation in the first Test could sway the decision one way or the other
#3 The connection between Rohit Sharma the captain and batter
A captain's form with the bat has often been a key component to visiting teams' success or failures in an Australian Test tour. Some of the best wins by touring teams have stemmed from their captain stepping up big with the willow, while the most crushing defeats have been as a result of an out-or-sorts captain.
When it comes to Rohit Sharma, his current batting form is at an all-time low and one can never discount the role captaincy plays in that. The 37-year-old averages only 33.97 in his 21 Tests as captain and a dismal 13.30 over his last five Tests as skipper.
It is possible that his poor captaincy moves in the New Zealand series were a result of low returns with the bat and conversely, the batting struggles cluttered his mind as captain on the field. The connection between the two roles can never be discounted.
Either way, India will need Rohit the batter to set a solid tone at the top of the order when batting is likely to be its most challenging. Considering his horrific recent form and his excellent Test average of 46.87 as non-captain, India could look to relieve their star batter of his captaincy duties to unleash the best version of him with the bat.
Verdict: Rohit the batter could flourish without the captaincy burden
To conclude, unless India believe Rohit's best with the bat could be seen if the captaincy hat is removed, they should definitely continue with him as the skipper for the potentially gruelling Test tour of Australia.
Yet, should he miss the series opener, the management could consider it as an opportunity to start afresh and appoint Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the series and the long run to maintain continuity.