Shubman Gill to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain; set to lead in upcoming Australia series.
The BCCI is said to make a huge leadership transition in Indian cricket, with Shubman Gill replacing Rohit Sharma as the ODI skipper. The 25-year-old batter will reportedly captain the team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, which will commence October 19 in Perth, as per The Indian Express reports.
This decision aligns with the BCCI’s long-term planning, as the current management is keen to groom Gill as India’s leader for the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Gill, who recently took over as India’s Test captain following Rohit’s retirement from the format, is now poised to lead the white-ball side as well.
The choice committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, sat on Saturday to complete the group for the Australia tour. Gill was said to have been present at the discussions, which were held about the lunch break of the first Test against West Indies. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was also consulted before the decision was made, in order to ensure smooth and coordinated transition.
Rohit Sharma, aged 38, has been Indian cricket's rock steady, having captained the team in 56 ODIs, out of which they have won 42 and lost 12, registering an appreciable 75 per cent winning rate. India were victorious under him in the T20 World Cup of 2022, the Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup in 2023. The team also made it to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, though they lost to Australia.
Rohit and Kohli recently withdrew from the India A series against Australia A, marking a gradual phase-out of their international white-ball careers. Both players may need to play in domestic tournaments such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy to be eligible for the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to reports.
The leadership handover to Gill represents the beginning of a new generation for Indian ODI cricket, with the young batter taking over a team full of talent and experience. Viewers and pundits alike will be eagerly anticipating how Gill will take on the responsibility and whether he can continue from where Rohit Sharma had left off.
