In a major shake-up for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill is now captain in ODI as selectors decided to hand him the reins from senior opener Rohit Sharma. The bold decision comes with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, marking the beginning of a new leadership era for Team India. Alongside Gill, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been appointed vice-captain, signaling the selectors’ vision of grooming young leaders for the future.
The announcement was made ahead of India’s much-anticipated tour of Australia, where the team will play three ODIs and five T20 internationals. While the change has raised eyebrows, it also reflects the BCCI’s forward-looking strategy, balancing experience with fresh energy.
Why Gill Over Rohit Sharma?
Rohit Sharma, who has been a central figure in Indian cricket for over a decade, recently retired from Test and T20 formats. At 37, he continues to play ODIs but is clearly in the twilight of his career. The selectors, therefore, took a proactive step by appointing Gill as captain in ODIs to prepare him for the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
While Rohit remains in the squad for the Australia series, insiders suggest he was not invited to the selection committee meeting—an unusual move since captains generally attend. Reports confirm that Gill was present at the meeting, strengthening speculations that the baton was already being passed to him.
India’s Squad for the Australia Series
ODI Squad:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)
- Axar Patel
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
T20I Squad:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper)
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Rinku Singh
- Washington Sundar
Match Schedule
The tour kicks off with the first ODI on October 19 in Perth, followed by the second on October 23 in Adelaide, and the final ODI on October 25 in Sydney. The five-match T20I series will begin soon after, where Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side.
Workload Management and Injuries
Selectors have also made notable decisions regarding workload and injuries:
- Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from ODIs considering the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) matches against South Africa.
- Hardik Pandya remains out with a hamstring injury.
- Rishabh Pant, still recovering from a serious leg injury, is not available.
- Surprisingly, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami are missing from the squad, as selectors focus on rotation and long-term fitness.
Rohit and Kohli Return After 8 Months
The tour also marks the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to ODI cricket after an eight-month gap. Their last appearance was in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, where India defeated New Zealand under Rohit’s leadership. Their presence ensures India maintains a balance of youth and experience as Gill begins his captaincy journey.
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Gill’s Track Record as Captain
Though still only 26, Shubman Gill now captain in ODI is not an overnight decision. Gill has already proven himself as a leader in multiple formats:
- Test Cricket: In his first Test series as captain, Gill led India against England with outstanding success. He scored 754 runs in five matches at an average of 75.40, including four centuries. India drew the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2, showcasing Gill’s maturity.
- Against West Indies: Under Gill, India defeated the West Indies by an innings and 140 runs in Ahmedabad.
- T20 Captaincy: In 2024, Gill captained India in Zimbabwe, guiding the team to a 4-1 series victory.
- Domestic Leadership: Gill has captained six List-A matches, winning five of them.
Gill’s personal batting record also backs the selectors’ decision. In 55 ODIs, he has scored 2775 runs at an average of 59.04, including eight centuries. His 208 against New Zealand in Hyderabad (2023) remains one of the finest innings by a young Indian batter.
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The End of Rohit’s ODI Captaincy
Rohit Sharma’s tenure as ODI captain has been eventful. Under his leadership, India won:
- 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies
- 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai
However, his form with the bat has been inconsistent. In the recent series against Australia, Rohit struggled for runs and was even dropped from the final Test in Sydney. After announcing his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, Rohit admitted his batting wasn’t at its peak.
In his words:
“Runs are not coming, but there’s no guarantee they won’t come in the future. I know what I am doing, and I am mature enough to handle it.”
By May, just before the England Test series, Rohit officially stepped down as Test captain, paving the way for Gill to take charge. Now, with ODIs, the selectors have made the transition complete.
Strategic Move for 2027 World Cup
The decision to make Shubman Gill now captain in ODI is clearly tied to long-term planning. By 2027, Rohit and Kohli are unlikely to be active in international cricket, while Gill will be in his prime years. Giving him early captaincy exposure ensures he learns, adapts, and builds his own team culture.
Cricket experts believe this is a repeat of history—just like India once transitioned from Sourav Ganguly to MS Dhoni, and later from Dhoni to Virat Kohli, the selectors are preparing for the next big chapter.
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Fans and Experts React
The news of Shubman Gill’s appointment has divided opinions.
- Supporters argue that Gill represents the future and has already shown signs of being a modern leader who blends aggression with calm decision-making.
- Critics feel Rohit deserved to continue until the 2025 Champions Trophy, considering his experience and success in ICC tournaments.
Social media has been flooded with debates, but one thing is certain—Gill has a golden opportunity to cement himself as the face of Indian cricket.
What Lies Ahead
As India tours Australia, all eyes will be on how Gill manages the team both on and off the field. Leading in Australian conditions is no easy task, but it will be the perfect test for his leadership skills. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s role will be closely watched—will he adapt to his new position as a senior player under a younger captain, or will the pressure of fading form continue to haunt him?
For now, the message is clear: Shubman Gill now captain in ODI, and Indian cricket is preparing for the next big era.
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Conclusion
The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain marks a turning point in Indian cricket. With Shreyas Iyer as his deputy and a balanced squad for the Australia series, selectors have laid the foundation for the future. While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still add valuable experience, the leadership baton has firmly been handed to Gill.
As the countdown to the 2027 World Cup begins, Gill’s leadership journey will be under the spotlight. If his past performances are anything to go by, Indian fans can be hopeful that the team is in safe hands.
