Sourav Ganguly Reveals Rohit Sharma's Initial Reluctance to Captain India in Tests

Ganguly Discusses Rohit's Initial Hesitation
More than three years after the leadership transition in Indian cricket, former captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has made a startling revelation. He disclosed that Rohit Sharma initially turned down the opportunity to take on the Test captaincy after Virat Kohli stepped down.
The Circumstances Surrounding the Captaincy Change
In January 2022, following the third Test match against South Africa, Virat Kohli unexpectedly announced his resignation from the Test captaincy. This decision shocked fans and the BCCI alike, prompting the board to quickly find a successor. Naturally, they approached Rohit Sharma, the most seasoned player in the squad.
Rohit, who had already been leading the team in ODIs and T20Is, was also performing admirably in Tests. The BCCI believed he was the ideal candidate to fill Kohli's shoes.
Rohit's Concerns About Workload
However, Ganguly has now revealed that Rohit was initially hesitant to accept the Test captaincy due to concerns about managing his workload. Leading in all three formats can be demanding, and Rohit was uncertain about his ability to handle the pressure.
Ganguly shared that he had an in-depth discussion with Rohit, emphasizing the importance of the Test captaincy and how it would enhance Rohit's legacy in Indian cricket. After reflecting on their conversation, Rohit ultimately decided to accept the role.
Ganguly's Insights on the Conversation
Ganguly stated:
"We always wanted Virat to be captain, but he did not want to continue. And that's what it was. And then obviously Rohit came in, he was captaining Mumbai Indians. He was captaining 50-over T20. We needed a Test captain because Virat Kohli was Test captain by then and he finished in South Africa. I always believed that Rohit was a very good captain. So obviously the request from the board, I went to him that you know you should captain in Test matches. He was reluctant because of workload."
The Turning Point for Rohit
Ganguly further added:
"But then I remember having a conversation with him that, you don't want to finish your career without captaining Indian Test matches. So that struck a chord with him, and then he took a couple of days and then he agreed. He's a very adjustable person, very friendly person, if you have conversations with him, he'll agree and accept and do things. And why wouldn't anybody want to be in this Test game?"
Rohit Sharma's Tenure as Test Captain
Rohit's time as Test captain concluded on a less than favorable note. After the 2024 Test match at the MCG against Australia, he announced his retirement from Test cricket during IPL 2025.
His decision was influenced by India's poor performances both at home and abroad, leading Rohit to believe it was the right moment to step away from the longest format. During his captaincy, Rohit led India in 24 Test matches, achieving 12 victories, 9 losses, and 3 draws.