Shubman Gill to replace Rohit Sharma as India T20I captain? Ex-India selector delivers huge verdict

Who will replace Rohit Sharma as the T20I captain? This is the question that is going to become a major talking point in the Indian cricketing fraternity as soon as the T20 World Cup victory celebrations conclude.

Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the T20Is soon after India defeated South Africa in the final. The retirement was very much on the cards as the selectors had recalled Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli only for the T20 World Cup. Both the players had not played a single T20I last year before being recalled to the T20I team in January this year. Just like Rohit, Kohli announced his retirement as well after the World Cup triumph.

Last year, Hardik Pandya led the team before Suryakumar Yadav was given the responsibility too after the former was sidelined with an injury. Many believe that fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also a worthy contender to lead the team in T20Is. Recently, Shubman Gill has also emerged as a candidate as the selectors named him the captain for the five-match series in Zimbabwe.

Saba Karim on Shubman Gill's chances:

Even though Shubman Gill has been named the captain for the series against Zimbabwe, former India wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim believes it is still too early to give the opener the responsibility of leading the T20I team on a permanent basis.

Speaking to SportsNow, Karim said that Gill does have leadership skills and can be the captain in the future. He then went on to back Pandya to replace Rohit as the T20I captain.

"Potential yes but at this stage I think it's very early for the selectors to actually decide who can be the captain in the years to come. There are a number of aspirants, Hardik Pandya right now is the vice-captain and I think with Rohit's departure, it is more obvious that Pandya will take up the reins."

"But yes, I think the Indian selectors have always looked at Shubman Gill as an all-format player and they feel he does have the required leadership skills to take the team forward, that is why this Zimbabwe series will be quite exciting for Gill not as a batter but also as a captain," he further added.

Meanwhile, the five-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will get underway on July 6. After failing to make the cut for the T20 World Cup, Gill will have a point to prove as he will be looking to lead the team from the very front.