Irfan Pathan Sparks Debate: ‘Rohit Sharma Could’ve Been Dropped If Not for Captaincy’”

In a candid and compelling revelation, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan stirred the cricketing world by asserting that Rohit Sharma might not have held onto his spot in the Test team if not for his captaincy mantle.

A Captain Under Fire

Pathan’s comments zero in on one of the most trying phases of Rohit's recent career. He highlighted Rohit’s dismal form during the 2024–25 Test season, where the veteran mustered a mere 164 runs across eight matches, managing just one half-century. More alarmingly, on Australia’s challenging soil, his average plummeted to 6.20, the lowest ever recorded by a visiting captain in Australia (with a minimum of five innings).

Reflecting on the post-match broadcast during the Sydney Test, Pathan admitted that while he and his fellow commentators were expected to publicly back Rohit, their candid assessment was clear: “if he was not the captain, he would not have had a place in the team.”

What It Reveals About Selection Pressure

These assertions shed light on the invisible wall of pressure that often shields underperforming stars. Leadership roles, while prestigious, can mask slumps in form and prolong careers—both an asset and a complication.

Humanizing a Legend

Despite the scrutiny, Pathan's tone remains empathetic and perceptive. He respects Rohit’s stature—calling him “an amazing player in white-ball cricket”—even as he underscores a simple truth: performance, not prestige, should define selection.

The Final Test Curtain

The broader cricket community continues to reflect on Rohit’s legacy. He bid farewell to Test cricket in May 2025, taking a retirement decision that seemed timely amid this scrutiny—offering perhaps the dignity of choosing his own swansong.

In the twilight of his career, Rohit Sharma’s journey reminds us that even leaders are bound by form and expectation. Pathan’s remarks invite a larger conversation: how balanced should loyalty to veterans be when measured against performance?

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