To turnaround Infosys, Sikka should bolster his management team and revive sales, analysts said, adding that he could also use some of the company's $5 billion worth of cash and cash equivalents balance towards acquisitions to boost growth.
As the first CEO in the company's history who is not a founder, Sikka's appointment signalled that Infosys was unlikely to see any radical change in the near-term. "There is no change of strategy at this time," he told reporters at Infosys' headquarters.
Sikka joined SAP in 2002 and became a member of the executive board on February 7, 2010, leading products and innovation globally. He also led research initiatives at the company. His successor in the SAP board, Bernd Leukert, called him an "ingenious visionary".
He quit SAP in May amid rumours that he was passed over for the top job at the software company and was gearing up to take charge at Infosys. Before Sikka joined the executive board at SAP, he was the company's first chief technology officer.
Some analysts said Murthy's departure, along with that of the two other founders, would allow Sikka to make significant changes to revive the confidence of both clients and staff.
"Sikka is a very good thing for Infosys because he has a great reputation in the United States. That will help them get new business," said a manager with a mutual fund who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
In its filing, Infosys said that Murthy, one of the pioneers of India's showpiece outsourcing services sector, will be designated as chairman emeritus from 11 October.
The board also approved the dissolution of the chairman's office and Rohan Murthy would leave on Saturday, when the company would hold its annual shareholders meeting. President UB Pravin Rao, widely seen as one of the internal candidates for the CEO role, was also promoted to chief operating officer.
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