Shubman Gill has officially stepped into one of the biggest roles in Indian cricket — replacing Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain. The 26-year-old batter from Punjab will lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning October 19 in Perth.
A New Era of Leadership
The BCCI made the announcement on October 4, handing Gill the reins of the ODI team. Speaking at his first press conference after the appointment, Gill called it a proud and humbling moment.
“It was announced after the first Test against the West Indies (in Ahmedabad), but I got to know about it a bit earlier. It’s an honour to lead India,” Gill said in Delhi on Thursday.
Carrying Forward Rohit’s Calmness
Gill didn’t just talk about the captaincy; he also expressed what he hopes to bring into the role. One of his biggest inspirations is the calm leadership style of Rohit Sharma.
“The calmness of Rohit Bhai and the friendships that he created among the group, I want to imbibe that,” Gill said.
This statement reflects his intention to maintain a tight-knit team culture while adding his own energy as captain.
In Red-Hot Form Before the ODI Challenge
Gill is currently in Delhi for the second Test against West Indies, starting October 10 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. India, under his leadership, dominated the first Test in Ahmedabad, winning by an innings and 140 runs. With momentum on their side, expectations are high for another strong performance.
Rohit and Kohli Remain Key to India’s Plans
During the pre-match press conference, Gill also addressed the futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom now only play ODIs after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
“The two have won so many games for India. Very few have so much skill and experience. We need them,” Gill said.
His comments made it clear that the team still counts on both stalwarts for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup cycle.
Strong Partnership With Gautam Gambhir
Gill further opened up about his working equation with head coach Gautam Gambhir — often seen as the architect of India’s transition plan.
“Our relationship is good. We strike up conversations about how to make players secure. Also, we talk about preparing a pool of fast bowlers,” Gill explained.
This growing captain-coach partnership could play a crucial role in shaping India’s next phase in white-ball cricket.
Looking Ahead
As Gill prepares to lead India in his ODI captaincy debut, he carries both expectation and belief. While he brings his own style to the job, his respect for Rohit Sharma’s legacy and trust in senior players like Kohli show that this is not a radical shift — but an evolution.
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