Rohit Sharma Opens Up on Tough Captaincy Calls: ‘You Can’t Please Everyone’

Leadership in Indian cricket comes with relentless scrutiny, emotional fallout, and decisions that are guaranteed to disappoint someone. Rohit Sharma, reflecting on his tenure as captain, has spoken candidly about the toughest calls he had to make, admitting that one of the hardest truths of leadership is accepting that you cannot please everyone.

Speaking on a JioHotstar show, Rohit offered a rare glimpse into the mindset behind major selection calls and difficult conversations that defined his captaincy. With expectations soaring before every major tournament, he said tough decisions were unavoidable—and often deeply personal.

“You will not be able to please everyone,” Rohit said, underlining the reality of leading a team where every omission sparks debate and emotion.

Selection dilemmas before big tournaments

Rohit revealed that finalising squads ahead of World Cups and multi-nation tournaments was among the most mentally taxing aspects of captaincy. Each decision, he explained, involved balancing individual talent against team combinations, conditions, and tactical flexibility.

One of the most debated calls came in 2022, when Shreyas Iyer was left out of both the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in Australia. Rohit clarified that the decision was not a reflection of Iyer’s ability or form, but rather the team’s need for an all-round option.

“We felt we needed someone who could give us a little more with the ball,” Rohit explained, referring to the inclusion of Deepak Hooda. “Shreyas would have felt bad, Deepak would have been happy — that’s how it works.”

The importance of honest communication

What stood out in Rohit’s reflections was his emphasis on how decisions were communicated. Along with head coach Rahul Dravid, Rohit made it a point to personally explain selection calls to players who missed out.

He said transparency was essential, especially when decisions carried emotional weight. “As long as you have a valid reason and you explain it properly, that is fine,” Rohit noted, stressing that players deserved clarity even when the answer hurt.

Similar difficult moments followed in later years. Rohit cited Mohammed Siraj missing out on the 2025 Champions Trophy squad and Yuzvendra Chahal being excluded from the 2023 ODI World Cup as decisions that were equally painful but necessary given team balance and conditions.

Leadership beyond tactics and teamsheets

Rohit’s captaincy philosophy extended beyond match strategy and selection debates. He spoke about the importance of building an environment where players felt comfortable having open conversations—not just about cricket, but about personal struggles as well.

“I always wanted an openness to discuss anything,” he said. “There are no boundaries; there is always an open door.”

Humour, approachability, and mutual respect, he added, helped reduce pressure in a dressing room that is constantly under public and media glare. Creating a relaxed yet accountable atmosphere was, in his view, just as important as tactical preparation.

Accepting criticism as part of the role

Rohit acknowledged that no explanation can completely erase disappointment. In Indian cricket, he said, every call is magnified and every omission questioned. The role of a captain, therefore, is not to chase approval but to stand by decisions made in the team’s best interest.

His reflections underline a core truth about leadership at the highest level: applause is fleeting, criticism is inevitable, and conviction matters more than popularity.

As Rohit summed it up, captaincy is not about making everyone happy—it is about making the right call, owning it, and moving forward.