Every Indian player should know Shubman Gill is the captain - Gautam Gambhir's teammate announces

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a bold prediction on Shubman Gill ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, set to commence on September 9 in the UAE. Pathan also stated that Gill can become India’s all-format captain, given his appointment as the vice-captain of the Indian team for the Asia Cup.

Gill, who last played a T20I match for India in July 2024, has been appointed as India’s vice-captain. With Suryakumar Yadav turning 35 in a few days, the BCCI is considering Gill for the captaincy in the shortest format as well. The 25-year-old batter recently took over as Test captain in a series against England.

Irfan Pathan Opens Up on Shubman Gill Becoming All-Format Captain

Irfan Pathan backed Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s T20I vice-captain. Pathan also emphasized that he agrees with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, on the planning.

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“See, Indian cricket is run in a particular way. And it will be run in a particular way. It is not what people outside of it think. Not the media or the fans. It is much like the engine of the train,” Pathan told RevSportz.

"The compartments will all be guided by how the engine runs. The players need to know who the engine is. The signal needs to be sent to them. They need to be made aware that Shubman Gill is the leader. And I agree with this thought process," he added.

It Isn’t a Long-Term Solution - Irfan Pathan on Split Captaincy

Irfan Pathan also said that having three captains for three different formats isn’t a long-term solution. Pathan stated that Shubman Gill will take over the captaincy across all formats in the future, considering his success in the IPL and England series.

“I don’t think three captains for three different formats works, and it isn’t a long-term solution. Gill as all-format captain over a period of time is the right way to go about it," Pathan continued.

"Yes, he will improve and get better. And he isn’t captaining only from the England series. He has captained in the IPL and done well. Now, he is India’s red-ball captain and did well in England. I don’t see it as a problem if he is given captaincy across formats in the future.”

Shubman Gill Poised as India’s Future All-Format Captain

Shubman Gill led India from the front with a stellar performance in the recent five-match series against England. He scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40, including four centuries. India drew the series 2-2 as Gill began his tenure on a positive note.

The selectors believe he will grow into a confident all-format captain with the full support of the dressing room. Discussions around veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continuing in ODIs are ongoing, with priority on the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Gill has to adapt to the aggressive demands of the format as India’s T20I captain. Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The focus after the 2026 T20 World Cup is expected to shift toward ODI cricket, where Gill can be groomed as a future leader.

Also read: Watch: Shaheen Afridi humiliated by Pakistan batsman, confrontation interrupted