In a significant leadership transition, Shubman Gill has been appointed as India's new ODI captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The announcement was made on Saturday, October 4, 2025, ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 19. Shreyas Iyer has been named as the vice-captain for the series.
Gill, 26, who already leads India in Tests and serves as vice-captain in T20Is, expressed immense pride in being entrusted with the ODI captaincy. Speaking to BCCI.tv, he acknowledged the honor and stated his determination to lead the team to great success. "It is the biggest honour to lead your country in one-day cricket, and to lead a side that has done well...it is immense pride for me, and I hope I will be able to do great," Gill said.
While the decision marks a new chapter for Indian cricket, veterans Rohit Sharma, 38, and Virat Kohli, 36, will remain in the 15-member squad, ensuring a blend of experience and fresh leadership. This move is widely seen as a strategic one, with an eye toward the 2027 World Cup. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the need for long-term planning and the impracticality of having different captains across formats. He also noted that Gill has been the vice-captain in the ODI format for a while, making him a natural choice for the role.
The decision to appoint Gill also reflects the confidence in his ability to handle pressure and perform consistently. Agarkar cited Gill's performance in England as a positive sign. Former cricketers and analysts have also lauded the move, with some predicting Gill to become an all-format captain in the near future.
Despite Rohit Sharma's stellar record as captain, including a Champions Trophy victory earlier this year, the selectors are keen on grooming Gill for the future. Rohit Sharma led India in 56 ODIs, securing 42 victories and maintaining an impressive win percentage of 75%. He also led India to the Champions Trophy title. While some fans expressed disappointment over Rohit's removal as captain, many acknowledged the importance of transitioning to a younger leader. Some fans and experts believe that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might retire from ODIs after the Australia series.
In May 2019, Rohit Sharma had spoken about his "ultimate dream" of lifting the ICC trophy. While he experienced near-misses in the subsequent editions, Shubman Gill now carries the responsibility of fulfilling that dream. Gill acknowledged the 2027 World Cup as the "ultimate goal" and expressed his commitment to preparing the team for the challenge. "I think we have about 20 ODIs before we play the World Cup, and that is the ultimate goal. So everything that we play and all the players that we play, they will try to play their best, and hopefully we will be ready before we play the World Cup," Gill stated.
The ODI squad for the Australia series includes experienced players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain. The pace-bowling department features Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, while Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav are the spin-bowling options. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the ODI series.
Shubman Gill's appointment as ODI captain marks a new era for Indian cricket, balancing youthful leadership with the experience of seasoned players, all with the "ultimate dream" of securing the 2027 World Cup in sight.
