Shreyas Iyer no threat to Shubman Gill, BCCI officially announces Rohit Sharma's successor
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Indian cricket officials from the BCCI have confirmed that Shreyas Iyer is likely to take over as India's ODI captain from Rohit Sharma, ruling out reports claiming Shreyas Iyer's appointment as the next Team India One-day skipper.
Ever since Shubman Gill has had a successful start to his captaincy stint for India in the red-ball format, there has been buzz around his appointment as the all-format Indian skipper. Even the management cited that India has often relished success with a single skipper across all formats of the game.
Shubman Gill, after the stupendous form he showed in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, was brought back into the Indian T20I side for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup, despite having missed the previous three bilateral T20I series for India.
Shubman Gill reclaims India ODI captaincy
After being brought back to the T20I side, Gill resumed his role as the vice-captain of the side, replacing Axar Patel, who acted as Suryakumar's deputy in the England series, since Gill was asked to prioritize ODI and Test cricket. This move has confirmed that Indian management is citing the 25-year-old batter as a future skipper across all formats.
This remains to be looked out for: whether Rohit Sharma, the 38-year-old veteran, considers ending his reign with the Indian team, a formal discussion for which would be planned between the player and the BCCI, after the conclusion of the Asia Cup. However, Rohit has announced his plans to star for India A in the One-day series against Australia A.
Some reports, especially those fueled by the Dainik Jagran, had claimed that Shreyas Iyer has been identified as the next India ODI skipper; however, it seems now it was a totally speculative theory from the senior journalists.
BCCI secretary rubbishes Shreyas Iyer's appointment as India captain
Recently, on being questioned over Shreyas Iyer's likely appointment as Rohit Sharma's successor in ODIs, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that there have been no such plans made and refuted media reports.
He told HT: “That’s news to me. There have been no such discussions.”
Even the other BCCI officials on the panel disagreed with the fact that they ever discussed someone other than Shubman Gill as the next ODI captain.
“He (Shubman Gill) averages 59 in ODI cricket and is already the vice-captain of the team. There is no way someone who has recently been appointed Test captain, found some success and has age on his side should not take over leadership in ODI cricket when the time comes,” another BCCI official said.
Pragyan Ojha in line for new role in Indian cricket
The Indian management is about to undergo a major change, as Ajit Agarkar has been given an extension till 2026; however, Sridharan Sharath is likely to make way for the former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha from the South Zone.
The former Indian spinner has played for India in 24 Tests and announced his international retirement back in February 2020, as a result of which he fits the BCCI rule that a player must have retired at least five years earlier to be brought in as a selector.
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Shubman Gill Rohit Sharma India National Cricket Team BCCI Shreyas Iyer Devajit Saikia Pragyan Ojha Asia Cup
