In a significant leadership transition for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new captain of the Indian men’s ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma. The decision was finalized during a selection meeting in Ahmedabad on Saturday, chaired by BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Gill, already the Test skipper, will lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19.
Rohit Sharma, who guided India to Champions Trophy victory in February 2025, will remain in the squad alongside Virat Kohli for the ODIs. Both veterans are making their competitive return after the IPL season earlier this year, having retired from Tests and T20Is. The duo’s inclusions mark their first international outing in over seven months.
Background of the Change
At 26, Gill now holds captaincy in Tests and ODIs, while serving as vice-captain in T20Is under Suryakumar Yadav—a clear signal of BCCI’s long-term vision for a unified all-format leader ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. He assumed Test captaincy in May 2025 following Rohit’s mid-IPL retirement from the format, leading India to a gritty 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, where he topped the run charts with 754 runs at an average of 75.40.
Rohit, 38, had reaffirmed his commitment to ODIs post-Champions Trophy, quipping in Dubai celebrations with Kohli, “Koi future plan nahi hai. Jo chal raha hai wo chalega. I’m not retiring from this format.” Yet, discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia led selectors to opt for a transition now, citing Rohit’s age and the need to groom Gill with limited ODIs before the World Cup.
Rohit captained India in 56 ODIs since December 2021, securing 42 wins (including the 2023 World Cup final run and 2025 Champions Trophy triumph), 12 losses, one tie, and one no-result. Both he and Kohli, now limited to ODIs, have been ramping up fitness—Rohit in Mumbai nets with Abhishek Nayar, Kohli in London—to ensure readiness for the tour.
Tour Schedule and Squad Insights
India’s white-ball tour of Australia kicks off with three ODIs from October 19-25, followed by five T20Is from October 29 to November 8. Gill’s recent deputy role to Yadav in the Asia Cup adds to his growing credentials.
Notably, Rishabh Pant is likely to miss the tour, sidelined by a leg injury from the England Test series. The full squad is expected to be announced soon, but sources confirm Rohit and Kohli’s spots, signaling a blend of experience and youth under Gill’s command.
This shift positions Gill as India’s emerging face across formats, silencing early doubters with composed leadership. As Rohit steps back from captaincy but stays in the mix, the focus turns to how this new era unfolds Down Under.
