Shubman Gill announced India's ODI captain, Rohit Sharma given backseat

Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif made a huge prediction about Shubman Gill after the fifth and final Test match against England at The Oval. Kaif believes that Gill is likely to take over India’s ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma, following his impressive leadership in the Test series against England.

Shubman Gill began his Test captaincy by leading India to a 2-2 series draw in England. He took over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma retired from the format. The Men in Blue secured a six-run win in the fifth and final Test. The 25-year-old batter also played a crucial role with the bat during the series.

He Will Get the ODI Captaincy as Well - Mohammad Kaif Backs Shubman Gill

Mohammad Kaif said that Shubman Gill made an impact as both captain and batter during the England Test series. He added that Gill is ready to take over India’s ODI captaincy as well, especially with uncertainty around Rohit Sharma’s future.

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“He will get the ODI captaincy as well because we don’t know how long Rohit Sharma will continue as captain. Gill is ready to take over. He scores in white-ball,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

"He has performed well as captain here in Tests and led from the front. When you go with a young team, you have to do both things – score with the bat and do well as captain. A brilliant tour for him overall," he added.

Shubman Gill Created Opportunities with Both Hands in This Series - Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif pointed out that there were doubts over Shubman Gill's appointment as captain due to his inconsistent Test record. Kaif added that Gill proved his critics wrong by guiding a young team under pressure and delivering with the bat.

“Shubman Gill, as captain, created opportunities with both hands in this series. When he became captain, there were many questions as to why he was made captain, looking at his Test record,” Kaif opined.

"A young captain reached England under a lot of pressure with a young team. He answered with his bat and it came to a point where he was compared to breaking Sir Don Bradman’s record. Such a strong comeback with the bat,” he continued.

Rohit Sharma Eyes 2027 ODI World Cup Amid Retirement Speculation

Gill finished as the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Test series. He scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40, including four centuries. The right-handed batter won the 'Player of the Series' award and recorded the most runs by an Indian captain in a single Test series.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma remains active only in ODIs after retiring from T20Is following India’s 2024 World Cup triumph and stepping away from Test cricket in May 2025. The batter is eyeing the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

There has been growing speculation about his ODI future, but the BCCI confirmed that Rohit would continue leading the 50-over side. He will next be seen in action during the three-match ODI series in Australia, starting October 19 in Perth.

Also read: Watch: India explode in celebration after Mohammed Siraj's yorker ends England's chase in Oval Test; Gambhir-Gill moment goes viral