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India's national cricket team captain Shubman Gill is one of the brightest young stars in ODI cricket, and nobody doubts his batting ability. But when it comes to captaincy, the results have not gone his way yet, and Aakash Chopra believes Shubman Gill still has a lot to prove as an ODI captain. Chopra also defended Shubman Gill amid favouritism claims.
The former Indian batter has pointed out that the Indian National Cricket Team has played six ODIs under Gill’s captaincy, but the team has not managed to win a single series so far. Out of those six matches, one win came against Australia and the other against New Zealand.
Afghanistan series gives Shubman Gill the perfect chance to change his captaincy story
Aakash Chopra feels Gill now has a golden opportunity to improve his record and establish himself as a successful leader in the 50-over format in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting on Saturday, June 12, in Dharamshala.
Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel, "Shubman Gill has captained in six matches, and we have lost both series. We have won only two matches, one in Australia and one against New Zealand. So, Shubman Gill, as a captain in this format, hasn't really settled down yet," he said.
"That's a big story. You want to change that thing. You really want him to just stamp his authority, although he is not stopping the bat. He has scored runs as a captain as well, and he will continue to score runs. Considering the kind of form he is in, you will look towards him to score runs.”
Aakash Chopra hails Rohit Sharma-Shubman Gill as modern-day India's greatest opening pair
The cricket pundit also highlighted one of India's biggest strengths—the opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The pair has already scored 2,360 runs together in ODIs and averages 63.8, which is better than several legendary opening combinations, including Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar (49.3), that have crossed the 2,000-run mark.
Rohit and Gill have put together 14 partnerships of fifty or more, including seven century stands, making them one of the most dependable opening pairs in the modern ODI game. Rohit is also on the verge of achieving some major milestones during the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan.
He needs only six more runs to become the first Indian opener to complete 16,000 international runs. He is also just one century away from breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s massive record. Even Rohit Sharma sent a strong 'fitness' message to BCCI before Afghanistan series.
Aakash Chopra hails Rohit Sharma's legacy
Chopra added, "So, this is the modern-day best opening combination in terms of the average. That actually is a good story. Rohit Sharma is only six runs away from becoming the first Indian opener to score 16,000 international runs. That is some legacy."
"He is only one century away from moving clear of Sachin Tendulkar for the second place on the all-time list of international hundreds as an opener. Rohit Sharma is at that stage of his career where he will keep creating or breaking records."
Notably, Shubman enjoyed a fantastic IPL 2026 season, leading the Gujarat Titans all the way to the final. Although GT fell short in the title clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who lifted back-to-back IPL trophies, Gill impressed throughout the tournament with both his captaincy and batting.
The right-handed batter finished as the second leading run scorer with 732 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 163.02, including one century and six half-centuries.
