'Rohit Sharma kaha hai???' - Fans shocked as India captain goes missing from team photoshoot

Ahead of India's three-match ODI series against England, the Men in Blue were involved in a customary headshots' session. However, an unexpected absence has caught the attention of fans. While all 15 players of the squad participated in the official photoshoot organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), captain Rohit Sharma was notably missing. 

The headshot session, where players donned the newly designed ODI jersey by Adidas, was shared on BCCI's social media handle. The jersey, featuring tricolour ombre sleeves and an upgraded fabric, was first worn by the Indian women's team in their series against Ireland last month. However, Rohit's absence from the shoot raised eyebrows. Quick to notice, many 'X' users commentated on the post asking the reason behind the Indian skipper's absence.

One of the users named 'MANU' wrote, "Where is my Captain Rohit Sharma???"

Another user commented, "Have you sent Rohit Sharma into retirement? This is a wrong thing!"

One more user named Jigar Jain body-shamed the 37-year-old saying, "Rohit couldn’t fit in this jersey?"

"Captain badapav khane gaya tha," a person with username @UnapologeticH_1 wrote.

However, there is no official communication about his unavailability, and his absence from the photoshoot session cannot be taken in a speculative way since he was seen grinding it out at the nets for the upcoming match. The 37-year-old is set to lead India in the upcoming ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.

The ODI series against England, starting on February 6 in Nagpur, is crucial for both teams as they prepare for the eight-team tournament later this month. India enters the series on a high note, having secured a 4-1 victory in the preceding T20I series under Suryakumar Yadav's leadership. The squad sees the return of star players such as Rohit and Virat Kohli, who are set to feature in the ODIs after a long break from white-ball cricket.

Also Read: BCCI asks Rohit Sharma to communicate his plans after Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma's future in question

Rohit Sharma has been under scrutiny due to his recent performances in red-ball cricket. Despite his brilliant ODI record, his struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a disappointing return to domestic cricket with Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy have raised discussions about his future. The Nagpur-born remains a key player in India's white-ball setup, with reports claiming that the BCCI has asked him to reflect on his long-term plans, especially with a transition phase after post-Champions Trophy 2025.

Meanwhile, ahead of the first game, Rohit and Kohli were seen training in the nets, with BCCI sharing footage of the duo fine-tuning their batting skills. The opening batter was seen practicing his signature pull shots, while Kohli displayed aggressive stroke play.

Meanwhile, India has tightened its spin attack by adding Varun Chakravarthy to the ODI squad. The mystery spinner, who was brilliant in the T20I series with 14 wickets, joins an already strong spin department featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar. England, on the other hand, has retained Rehan Ahmed as cover, with Joe Root to return at No. 3.