End of an Era: Rohit Out, Shubman Gill to Lead India in ODIs
India’s cricketing landscape just witnessed a major shift. In a bold move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially named Shubman Gill as India’s new ODI captain, replacing veteran Rohit Sharma. The announcement came during the squad reveal for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19 in Perth.
This decision marks the beginning of a new leadership era, with Gill now captaining both the Test and ODI formats, while serving as vice-captain in T20Is. The selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, made it clear that the move is part of a long-term strategy to groom Gill for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Why Shubman Gill Replaced Rohit Sharma
Ajit Agarkar explained that having three different captains for three formats was no longer practical. With ODIs being played less frequently, the management wanted to give Gill enough time to settle into the role before the next World Cup.
Gill’s recent success as Test captain, especially during the England tour, impressed selectors. His calm demeanor, tactical awareness, and consistent batting performances made him the natural choice to lead India’s white-ball squad.
Squad for Australia ODI Series
India’s squad for the Australia tour includes a mix of youth and experience:
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Senior Players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
- Others: KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal
Despite stepping down as captain, Rohit and Kohli remain part of the squad, signaling their continued importance in India’s ODI setup.
Rohit Sharma’s ODI Captaincy Journey
Rohit Sharma’s tenure as ODI captain began in December 2021, when he replaced Virat Kohli. Under his leadership:
- India won the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka
- Reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, losing to Australia
- Clinched the T20 World Cup 2024
- Secured the Champions Trophy 2025 title in Dubai
In total, Rohit led India in 56 ODIs, winning 42 and losing just 12—a remarkable win rate of 75%.
Rohit’s Retirement from Tests and T20Is
Earlier this year, Rohit retired from Test cricket, paving the way for Gill’s elevation. He also stepped away from T20Is after India’s World Cup win. However, he remained committed to ODIs, even stating publicly, “I am not retiring from this format,” after the Champions Trophy victory.
Despite rumors of retirement, Rohit trained rigorously in Mumbai with former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, shedding weight and preparing for the Australia tour.
Strategic Shift Ahead of 2027 World Cup
The BCCI’s decision is clearly aimed at building a younger leadership core. With Gill at the helm, India hopes to create a stable, long-term captaincy structure. Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as vice-captain also reflects this vision, given his IPL leadership success and consistent middle-order performances.
Selectors emphasized that Rohit and Kohli’s future ODI participation will depend on performance and availability. Reports suggest they may need to play domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy to stay in contention for the 2027 World Cup.
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As India prepares to face Australia, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill. Can he rise to the occasion and lead India into a new era of ODI dominance? With Rohit and Kohli still in the mix, the blend of youth and experience could be India’s biggest strength.
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