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| Source - Social Media |
New Delhi: In a major move to plan for the future, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced that young star Shubman Gill will take over as the captain of India's One-Day International (ODI) team. Gill replaces veteran Rohit Sharma in the ODI format.
The announcement was made during the selection of the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, which begins on October 19. This change officially marks the end of Rohit Sharma’s time as captain in the ODI format.
Focus on Long-Term Future
BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar explained the decision, stating that the main goal is to prepare the team for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Gill (26) is viewed as the long-term leader needed to build the team for the major tournament.
The selection committee stressed the importance of having one consistent leader across the two main formats of the game. Gill is already the captain of the Indian Test team.
During a press conference, Mr. Agarkar said, “It is practically impossible to have three different captains for three formats in terms of planning. We need to start planning early for the ODI World Cup, and this decision gives the new captain enough time to prepare.”
Rohit Sharma Remains in Squad
Despite being removed as captain, Rohit Sharma, 38, has been included in the ODI squad as a specialist opening batsman. Star player Virat Kohli also remains in the squad for the Australia tour. The presence of these two senior players ensures that the team has a mix of youth and experience during this transition period. Shreyas Iyer has been named as the new ODI Vice-Captain.
This change has created some debate among cricket experts. Many experts have debated the timing, pointing out that Rohit Sharma was recently successful, having led India to a Champions Trophy victory earlier this year. However, the selectors have indicated that the focus is now on looking forward to the 2027 tournament.
Shubman Gill, who averages over 59 in ODIs, described his new role as "the biggest honour" of his career, confirming his commitment to building a winning team for the future. His first challenge as the new ODI captain will be the difficult series in Australia this month, marking the official beginning of India’s preparation road map for the 2027 World Cup.