Seven months ago in Dubai, Team India lifted the ICC Champions Trophy and skipper Rohit Sharma remained on the field at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Covered with the Indian tricolor, he kissed the trophy and lay down on the grass, a moment which now signifies the end of an era. That Champions Trophy 2025 turned out to be Rohit's final tournament as the Indian ODI captain, as selectors have now handed the task of leading the side to Shubman Gill, two years ahead of the next 50-over World Cup. For those who truly love this sport, Rohit Sharma's reign was not just about trophies; it was all about clarity, leadership, and a revolution in Indian white-ball circuit. From his precise team picks to attacking and creative batting plans, Rohit stamped his mark on India's ODI team. Rohit Sharma - An Architect Who Built Unbeatable White-Ball Side Rohit Sharma took full-time ODI captaincy in 2021, after Virat Kohli stepped down. Across four years, he led India to historic wins, like the 10 consecutive wins in 2023 Cricket World Cup, except the final, ICC T20 World Cup 2024 victory, and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy win. What led to the transition was something that wrenched the hearts of every Indians, the 10-wicket defeat on the hands of England in the semi-final of ICC T20 World Cup 2022. That was the game which marked the beginning of the Rohit's era of building an unbeaten side in white-ball cricket. The skipper changed the approach of batting, deciding to set the tone for his side without even thinking about personal milestones. The very next year, in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India reached the finals undefeated and were favorites to lift the title in front of the home crowd, but destiny had some other plans. Australia, who once lost to India in group stage, went on to lift the title, leaving cricketers & fans with heavy hearts. Also Read | Why Rohit Sharma Was Removed as ODI Captain Before Australia Tour However, in ICC T20 World Cup 2024, India defeated every opponent to lift the an ICC title after 11 long years. Few months later, during 2025 Champions Trophy in UAE, Rohit worked diligently to prepare his side for tough conditions. His decision to include five spinners and use four in the playing XI was a result of calculated thinking. Aggressive batting plans, especially in the first 10 overs, saw India boss every single game, from Bangladesh and Pakistan to Australia and New Zealand. Rohit's captaincy gave players such as Virat Kohli the freedom to play as Rohit, as an opener, would set the tone of the game which allowed other players to take their time before unleashing their strokes. Kohli, playing under Rohit, scored 765 World Cup runs, his best in the competition. While so, younger players such as Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill found confidence and direction in their roles. Leadership Beyond Trophies Rohit was not only a tactician but also a mentor. Senior players were always cherished. His request to R Ashwin for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, after he had first been left out, is proof of his inclusive nature of leadership. "Having adopted a bold batting strategy in the run-up to the 2023 World Cup that took India to the final, to carry forward the same passion in completely different conditions and succeeding was what placed India head and shoulders above everyone else," analysts observed. Rohit's strategic thinking, more times than not during protracted sessions with coach Rahul Dravid, guided India towards a culture of consistency, confidence, and measured aggression. His emphasis on contemporary strike rates and game-changing batting revolutionized the ODI template, turning India into a dominant white-ball force. Also Read | List of India ODI Captains: Shubman Gill Becomes 28th Skipper The Transition to Shubman Gill Just like Rohit handed over the Test captaincy to Shubman Gill months back, the same has happened in ODIs. Gill gets a robust team, preconditioned under Rohit's command. Shubman Gill is just 26 when he becomes India's 28th ODI captain. His ODI stats say it all: 55 games, 2775 runs, an average of 59.04, and eight centuries, including a double hundred against New Zealand in 2023. With two years to go before the 2027 World Cup, Gill has plenty of time to build his leadership style and team approach. All decisions regarding the future tournaments are being taken keeping the World Cup in sight. As the last word on the team is awaited, Gill is now tasked with developing senior as well as rising stars in the ODI team. Rohit Sharma's Lasting Legacy Apart from statistics and victories, Rohit is leaving behind a team with a contemporary approach. He established the framework for white-ball cricket with a focus on simplicity, aggressive batting, and strategic bowling. Moments such as the Champions Trophy triumph at Dubai, where he danced with Virat Kohli celebrating with a dandiya, made out of a stump, are reflective of the demeanor of a leader who led the side with grace, humility, and class. That stump is now an souvenir of an era that defined India's ODI team for the future. Rohit's tenure will be talked about in terms of delivering stability, attacking plans, and simplicity to India's ODI setup. After being assigned the role of captain in Test and vice-captain in T20Is, Shubman Gill now enters a takes the helm in ODI which ensures continuity while providing room for new thoughts and creativity.