Speculation is mounting that Shubman Gill is poised to take over from Rohit Sharma as India's ODI captain, potentially signaling a significant shift in leadership ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keen on grooming a new skipper, and Gill appears to be the frontrunner.
Gill's ascent has been rapid, already captaining the Test team and serving as vice-captain in T20Is. This makes him a natural candidate to lead across all formats. Some reports suggest the decision to appoint Gill as ODI captain is all but finalized, awaiting only an official announcement.
Several factors are contributing to this potential transition. Rohit Sharma will be 40 years old by the time the 2027 World Cup arrives. Remaining competitive in just one format could prove challenging for him. There are also a limited number of ODI fixtures scheduled before the World Cup, raising concerns about the consistency of senior players like Rohit and Virat Kohli. Kohli has already retired from T20Is and Tests.
While Rohit Sharma has expressed his desire to continue playing ODIs and aim for another World Cup, the selectors will ultimately make the final decision. A strong performance in the upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia could bolster Rohit's case to remain captain. However, should the selectors decide to move forward with a new leader, Gill seems to be the obvious choice.
The "one captain for all formats" approach has historically served Indian cricket well. With Gill already at the helm of the Test team and positioned as the T20I vice-captain, promoting him to ODI captaincy would align with this tradition. It would also provide stability and clarity within the team.
Former cricketers and analysts have also voiced their support for Gill's potential captaincy. Mohammad Kaif, for instance, believes Rohit will retire from ODIs after the 2027 World Cup, paving the way for Gill to take over. Daryl Cullinan has also endorsed Gill as the next ODI captain, regardless of whether Rohit Sharma continues to play.
If Gill is appointed as ODI captain, the upcoming tour of Australia may be Rohit Sharma's last assignment as captain, if not his last appearance in the format. Some reports even suggest that Rohit and Virat Kohli might participate in India A one-day games against Australia A before the main tour.
Shubman Gill has already demonstrated his leadership abilities, leading India to a 2-2 draw in England as Test captain. He also had a successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. His consistent performances with the bat, averaging 59.04 in ODIs, further strengthen his case for captaincy. In fact, Gill holds the record for being the fastest to reach 2000 and 2500 ODI runs.
As India looks towards the future, the potential appointment of Shubman Gill as ODI captain signals a new era in Indian cricket. While Rohit Sharma's contributions to the team have been immense, the selectors appear to be prioritizing long-term planning and stability with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of India's ODI leadership.
