India's veteran opener Rohit Sharma was relieved of his captaincy duties ahead of Australia tour. Picked as Test captain after Rohit and Virat Kohli's retirement from the format, Gill was named ODI captain as well. While many have criticised the decision to take the captaincy from Rohit who led India to two ICC trophy wins, former India coach Abhishek Nayar hopes that there was clear communication with him regarding passing the baton. Nayar who has worked closely with Rohit, is not against the decision but wants clear communication with Rohit.
"For me, there's only one thing. Look, as long as that discussion happened with him, as long as he was on the same page, if he also said, 'Yes, we have to look forward, we want to give Shubman Gill a chance, and I'll be there in that dressing room with you to help him through it,' then I am all for it," Nayar said while speaking on Star Sports.
Nayar feels Gill deserves captaincy
Nayar feels that it would be a great decision if Rohit was kept in the loop. He can help Gill take over the reins ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027.
"I think it's a great decision because you've kept the captain (Rohit) in the loop. You've given him that responsibility — 'help us take this team forward like you did till now.' I feel he deserves that much. And that's a question only he can answer, because for me, that's the only thing. Apart from that, any decision you take is not wrong,” Nayar said.
“Shubman Gill, we all knew someday he was going to be captain, and he should be, because he's that kind of player," he added.
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Nayar wants clear communication
Nayar went on to say that a phone call from selectors is not enough. He hopes that the stakeholders had a detailed conversation with Rohit regarding the way forward.
"But for me, there's just one thing: if you're going to do it, then do it right. If you're going to have this communication, then — I always believe — communication takes time. It's not a phone call. You sit together and talk it through," he said.
Nayar says Rohit is committed to play World Cup 2027
While Agarkar said that Rohit and Kohli were non-committal about the 2027 World Cup, Nayar said that Rohit is working hard to keep himself fit for his one last ICC event.
"When he was working hard, his preparation was to reach the 2027 ODI World Cup and do India proud, which they couldn't in India. I just hope that communication went well and Rohit is on the same page as the selectors and the Indian team management," he revealed.
Rohit and Kohli will be in action when India take on Australia in the ODI series opener on October 19 at Perth Stadium.