In a stunning twist of cricketing irony, history has repeated itself for Indian cricket. In 2021, Virat Kohli was removed as Test captain despite leading the team through a golden era of dominance, and now, in 2025, Rohit Sharma faces the same fate in ODIs, dismissed just months after guiding India to back-to-back ICC titles.
In 2021, Virat got Sacked from Test Captain
In 2021, Virat Kohli’s tenure as India’s Test captain came to an unexpected end, shocking fans and experts alike given his remarkable record and dominance in the format. Under his leadership, India became a world force in red-ball cricket, claiming historic series wins in Australia and holding the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for several years.
Despite his unmatched intensity and an impressive winning percentage that made him India’s most successful Test captain, off-field differences and a reported fallout with the cricket board led to his dismissal, marking the end of an era defined by aggressive cricket, fitness revolution, and unwavering ambition.
In 2025, Rohit got Sacked from ODI Captain
In a surprising turn of events in 2025, Rohit Sharma was sacked as India’s ODI captain despite leading the team to back-to-back ICC titles. The decision shocked fans and cricket pundits alike, given Rohit’s stellar record as a leader who had successfully guided India to global glory after years of heartbreak in major tournaments. His calm demeanor and tactical brilliance were widely credited for India’s dominance across formats, making his removal all the more controversial.
Reports suggest the selectors are keen to build a younger leadership core for the next World Cup cycle, but the move has sparked intense debate over whether experience and proven success have been undervalued in the process.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s magnificent spell as Team India’s ODI captain comes to an end
In cricket’s ever-evolving power dynamics, the removal of champions from leadership remains one of the sport’s most debated decisions. Virat Kohli’s 2021 Test captaincy axing came amid unmatched dominance, while Rohit Sharma’s 2025 ODI exit followed consecutive ICC title triumphs. Both scenarios underline that, in the world’s most scrutinized team, past glory doesn’t always guarantee the captain’s chair.

