Rohit Sharma sacked! Shubman Gill finalized as India's new ODI captain after Oval Test win
After Shubman Gill's iconic series draw against England in his debut Test series as skipper, the former Indian skipper sides with Gill for ODI captaincy as well. Sunil Gavaskar has stated that if India is considering a replacement for ODI captaincy, this would be the right time to switch Gill into the role.
Shubman Gill comes from a heroic draw in the England Test series on their soil. This marked India's second 2-2 draw in the last two visits to England, as the 2021/22 Pataudi Trophy had also met a similar end, which was drawn between the two teams.
Other than drawing the series, he was also seen evolving as a better captain as the Test series proceeded from Headingley to the Oval. The last game marked his proactive role as a skipper, as he was spotted aiding his bowlers and nurturing their morale to pick wickets.
Shubman Gill picked as ODI skipper after Test heroics in England
One of India's greatest batters, Sunil Gavaskar, has been urging the selectors to consider replacing Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill as India's new ODI captain. The veteran white-ball batter has not been seen in India colours since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final.
Though Rohit has retired from Tests and T20Is, he is expected to return for the ODI format. Sharma has two ICC titles within the span of 1 year, from June 2024 to February 2025.
"When the ODI series against Australia or the West Indies gets underway, it will be the perfect time to go for Gill if the selectors want," Gavaskar said after the final Test match.
Gavaskar has also been largely praising Gill's batting skills lately and has lauded his fighting spirit as well.
"He is one of the most well-liked players in the team. He is getting those hundreds. If he is not happy with a hundred, he will go for the double hundred. He will then look to get a triple hundred if he is not happy with a double hundred. He got to 269 (at Edgbaston). He was showing that he can't give up. He just wanted to be there and make sure that every run mattered," he added.
Sunil Gavaskar lauds Shubman Gill's batting
Just a few days into the Oval Test, Sunil Gavaskar was questioned on how he cited Shubman Gill's record of 754 runs in the England series. The batter amassed several runs, though he could not go past Sunil Gavaskar's former record of 774 runs against the West Indies back in 1971.
Gavaskar's record has been unbreakable for 54 years, though many Indian players have neared the massive record, but they have fallen short. Gill is now the second-highest run-getter in a single Test series for India.
Though not on the record books, Shubman Gill has won over Gavaskar with his terrific show in the series. Gavaskar said that Gill has got all those runs with the added responsibility of being the team's captain, whereas he was the 'team's baby' when he got those record runs in 1971.
Hence, placing Gill's runs in the England series far above his own record, the former legend has given huge esteem to the Indian cricketer.
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Rohit and Kohli are available for ODIs - Sunil Gavaskar
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two veterans of Indian cricket, are set to make their comeback into the Indian ODI side in the upcoming series against Australia. India postponed the white-ball series against Bangladesh, which caused the delay.
However, citing the Indian batting order doing quite well even without the two veterans and such calls for the appointment of Gill as the new Indian ODI skipper, doubts have been raised over the return of the legends, especially Rohit Sharma.
"Rohit and Kohli are available for ODIs. They haven't been selected as of yet. Those things will be up to the selection committee," said Gavaskar, further imposing doubts over their return.
