‘Wasn’t in favor of sending Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to Australia…’: Shocking details emerge on Shubman Gill’s ODI captaincy
Published - 05 Oct 2025, 10:35 AM | Updated - 05 Oct 2025, 11:34 PM
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Indian cricket has entered a new chapter as Shubman Gill is officially named the captain of the ODI team for the upcoming series against Australia. The BCCI made the announcement on Saturday, October 4, but the decision was months in the making.
There were discussions for months in the board, although it was never about whether Shubman Gill would lead India, but when the moment would arrive. The turning point came earlier this year during the five-match Test series in England. Gill not only scored runs but also showed strong leadership skills.
BCCI names Shubman Gill as ODI captain after months of deliberation
India fought hard to draw the Test series 2-2, and the thrilling match at The Oval became the highlight of Shubman Gill’s growing influence. What impressed the Indian selectors most was the way the dressing room responded to the young Test captain.
Gill’s calm approach and the unity he inspired in the dressing room gave the decision-makers the confidence to trust him with the ODI captaincy right after the England tour. Even before the official announcement on Saturday, the talks had begun about preparing for the ICC World Cup 2027.
As reported by TOI, Shubman Gill was part of these discussions despite not being officially named the ODI captain, and the selectors wanted to build a new group of players around him. They saw in Gill a young leader who could guide the team through the next few years.
Rohit Sharma's limited India appearances open the door for Shubman Gill’s rise as leader
However, it was not easy. Rohit Sharma had recently won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and had been one of the best ODI captains in India’s history. He also had the runs to prove his worth.
But there was a challenge, and that was that Rohit had not played an ODI for India since the ICC Champions Trophy and had only featured in the IPL, having retired from Tests and T20Is.
However, Rohit passed fitness tests and worked hard to stay in shape, but the lack of regular international cricket raised concerns about his readiness for a long journey ahead.
On the other hand, Gill kept making his case stronger, and later he was made India’s vice-captain in T20Is. His appointment was a clear hint that the Punjab lad Shubman Gill was next in line to take charge of the ODI team.
Selectors prioritize India’s future over Rohit Sharma’s white-ball legacy
It is being said that there were heated discussions within the BCCI, as many respected Rohit’s legacy as one of India’s finest white-ball leaders. But with the Australia tour approaching, the selectors decided that the team’s future needed to be prioritized.
They also had to consider the long-term plans for both Rohit, now 38, and Virat Kohli, who is 36. With questions over their fitness and longevity, the selectors felt it was safer to give a younger player the responsibility of the ODI team.
"But as the Australia tour got closer, the picture became much clearer. So much so that there was a section in Indian cricketing circles which wasn't in favour of sending both Rohit and Virat Kohli to Australia for ODIs. Surprisingly, the situation has come to a point where both Rohit and Virat are being looked at from the same microscope," the report read.
The source was quoted as saying by the selectors, “If we keep dragging things, it will only get complicated. And with two players—one 38 (Rohit) and the other 36 (Kohli)—you can't place the early bets. Yes, even the younger ones could lose form and fitness, but it's the safer bet.”
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