With Shubman Gill now appointed as India’s vice-captain in T20Is, his rise to full-time captaincy across all formats appears almost certain. Gill already leads India in Test and ODI cricket and is expected to take over the T20I captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav after next year’s T20 World Cup. This move will help the BCCI achieve its long-standing plan of having a single captain for all formats, a model Indian cricket has traditionally followed even as teams like England and Australia opt for split captaincy.
When Rohit Sharma took charge from Virat Kohli, his age suggested his tenure wouldn’t last many years. Gill, however, is still in his 20s, giving Indian cricket a long-term leader. His strong start as Test captain guiding India to a 2-2 series draw for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy further strengthened his claim.
Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Path Was Planned Early
Interestingly, Gill’s elevation was not a sudden or recent decision. Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola revealed that the board began viewing Gill as Rohit’s successor as early as 2023. That year, Gill delivered some of his best performances, scoring centuries and double centuries consistently. Even after missing two World Cup matches due to dengue, he still managed over 350 runs in nine innings. His rapid growth convinced the selectors that he was the right future leader.
“We always thought Gill would become the captain. We had considered him for the role as early as 2023, believing he would take the reins into his hands. Selectors do take suggestions not only from the coach and captain but also from other senior players. They also felt he was the right guy, even those who retired earlier,” Ankola said on Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube channel.
Shubman Gill Proves His Leadership in Test Cricket
Once Rohit retired from Test cricket, there was no confusion about who would replace him. Gill stepped into the role and delivered a standout performance, scoring 756 runs at an average of 75.40, including four centuries during his impressive tour of the UK. His absence was deeply felt when India faltered in the home Test series against South Africa, highlighting how essential he has become both as a batter and a leader.
Selectors Confident in Shubman Gill’s Leadership Ability
Ankola emphasized that Gill’s promotion was the result of collective agreement within the team’s leadership group. “It is a collective decision. Everyone felt it, and he proved it in England. What a series he had! Under such pressure, if he scores 750 runs in England, that shows his mental capacity. People will say someone else should have been captain, or bring someone back. Humans are very unsatisfied souls. Whatever good you do, they will find something bad in it. People think they know everything,” said Ankola, who represented India in one Test and 20 ODIs.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Calls Out Paparazzi for Crossing Boundaries with Mahieka Sharma
