In a major development for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has been officially named India’s new One-Day International (ODI) captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma for the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announcement on Saturday, signaling a generational shift in leadership and a strategic move aimed at building a core for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
This will be Gill’s first ODI series as captain, having previously led India in both Test and T20I formats earlier this year. The 26-year-old opener, widely seen as one of India’s brightest cricketing talents, now becomes the youngest player to captain India across all three formats in the modern era.
India’s ODI Squad for Australia Tour 2025
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Despite the change in captaincy, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their much-awaited return to the ODI lineup. The duo last featured for India during the Champions Trophy final in March 2025, and their inclusion adds a wealth of experience to a youthful side.
Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, cementing his role as part of India’s next-generation leadership group, while Dhruv Jurel joins as a second wicketkeeper option alongside KL Rahul.
BCCI’s Strategic Call for the Future
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, BCCI selectors stated that the captaincy transition is part of a long-term roadmap toward the 2027 ODI World Cup. With senior players entering the twilight of their careers, the board believes Gill’s leadership experience and calm temperament make him the ideal successor.
Gill’s rise to captaincy has been both rapid and well-earned. Since his international debut in 2019, he has evolved into one of India’s most reliable top-order batters. His ODI record—boasting over 3,000 runs at an average above 55- makes him a natural fit for the leadership mantle.
Earlier in 2025, Gill successfully led India’s Test side in the series win against South Africa and guided the T20I team to victory in the Asia Cup, earning praise for his tactical acumen and composure under pressure.
While Gill takes over as captain, Rohit Sharma’s role remains pivotal. The veteran opener’s experience in guiding the team through multiple ICC tournaments—including the Champions Trophy win and the 2023 World Cup final run—continues to make him an invaluable presence in the dressing room.
His return, along with Kohli’s, provides stability and mentorship to a young core that includes the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
The ODI series in Australia, scheduled later this month, will be Gill’s first real test as a full-time white-ball captain. Leading India in conditions known for pace and bounce, he’ll be tested not only tactically but also mentally.
The series will also serve as a crucial platform for India to fine-tune their team combination and test fringe players ahead of a busy international calendar.
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