Pragyan Ojha, appointed India’s chief selector on October 19, once said Rohit Sharma’s captaincy lost its attacking edge in the 2024 Test series against New Zealand. The clip is spreading again because the man who said it, after he took interim charge of selection, now picks Rohit’s team.
New Zealand won that series 3-0. It was the first time a team whitewashed India at home in a series of three or more Tests. India were bowled out for 46 in Bengaluru, and the Pune defeat ended a 12-year unbeaten run that had defined India’s home Test record.
Ojha’s point was about fields. New Zealand rotated the strike better, and India’s placements handed out easy singles even with an experienced attack.
It sounds like a small detail. The real story is what a deep field does inside a bowler’s head.
“Ojha’s exact words, podcast”
Pragyan Ojha, Unplugged podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, November 22, 2024
🔴ROHIT SHARMA CAPTAINCY IS VERY POOR? – PRAGYAN OJHA 🤯
🎙️: Pragyan Ojha feels Rohit attacking captaincy style was missing in India’s matches against New Zealand.
He pointed out that New Zealand rotated the strike better than India, & easy singles allowed by field placements were also a concern, despite India having experienced bowlers.
— Sam (@cricsam02) October 19, 2026
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A field is a message before it is a plan. When a captain pushes men back early on an Indian pitch, the bowler hears one word: contain. He drops the ball flatter and quicker so nothing gets past the ring, and the loop and dip that take wickets are gone.
Experience does not fix that. A senior bowler follows the captain’s message more closely, because he knows his job is to execute the plan. Give him a catcher under the bat and he bowls to get a batter out; give him sweepers and he bowls to save runs, and New Zealand took the singles on offer.
Why Ojha’s Words Carry Weight Now
The remark comes from Shubhankar Mishra’s Unplugged podcast, released on November 22, 2024. It returned this week after the BCCI made Ojha chairman of the men’s selection committee, succeeding Ajit Agarkar.
“Based on seniority (most Tests), Mr Pragyan Ojha will chair the Committee.”
BCCI, announcement on X, October 19, 2026
Ojha had been interim head since Agarkar’s tenure ended on October 4. He chaired the meeting that named the squads for India’s tour of New Zealand. Rohit, who has kept playing through months of retirement talk, is in the ODI squad for the five matches from November 4 to 15.
The two go back to under-15 cricket. Ojha won IPL titles in 2013 and 2015 under Rohit at Mumbai Indians. He has also spoken about Rohit’s hunger for a world title.
“I have to bring that trophy. I want that cup.”
Pragyan Ojha, recalling Rohit’s words, in an interview
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