Star Indian batter Rohit Sharma grabbed attention at a recent public event. His reaction went viral after ICC chairman Jay Shah addressed him as India’s captain. This happened even though Rohit no longer holds the position.
Rohit was replaced as India’s ODI captain by Shubman Gill in October 2025. The decision was taken ahead of the Australia tour. Selectors have already started planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup. At 38, Rohit now plays only as a specialist batter in ODIs. He has already retired from Test cricket and T20Is. While the captaincy has moved on, his impact as a leader remains strong.
Jay Shah praises Rohit’s leadership legacy
During the ‘United in Triumph’ event, Jay Shah referred to Rohit as India’s captain while speaking about recent achievements. The comment drew a warm smile from Rohit, which quickly caught fans’ attention.
Shah explained that true leadership is defined by titles, not roles. He praised Rohit for guiding India to two major ICC trophies. Shah also recalled India’s heartbreak in the 2023 ODI World Cup. India dominated the tournament but lost in the final.
He then spoke about how Rohit Sharma fulfilled a promise made in early 2024. Under Rohit’s leadership, India won the T20 World Cup later that year. They followed it up with a Champions Trophy win in 2025.
“Our captain is sitting here. I will call him captain only, as he has led the team to two ICC trophies. During the 2023 World Cup, after winning ten successive matches, we could only win hearts but couldn’t lift the trophy. In February 2024, I had said in Rajkot that in the next World Cup, we will win both hearts and the cup,” Shah said at the United in Triumph event.
Rohit became India’s full-time ODI captain in December 2021. He led the team in 56 matches and won 42 of them. His record includes an Asia Cup title and a Champions Trophy win. India also finished runners-up in the 2023 World Cup.
In T20Is, Rohit remains India’s most successful captain. He won 49 out of 62 matches. His winning percentage is over 79 percent.
Recently, another Rohit moment also went viral. Ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand starting January 11, videos showed him training in Mumbai. He looked leaner and sharper. Fans were thrilled to see him hitting powerful straight sixes.
