In a major development for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has officially been named the captain of India’s ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma ahead of the upcoming Australia tour. The decision, announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, marks the beginning of a new era for the national side.
The move comes after the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, finalised the squad with an eye on the future. With two years remaining until the next ODI World Cup, Gill will now have valuable time to grow into the leadership role and shape India’s long-term strategy.
Gill, who has already captained India in Tests and during the England tour, has impressed the selectors with his temperament and tactical acumen. His elevation reflects the BCCI’s intent to usher in a generational shift while maintaining the balance between youth and experience.
Despite stepping down as captain, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of the ODI squad, ensuring that Gill has the guidance and support of two of India’s most seasoned campaigners. This leadership transition is expected to provide stability as India embarks on a challenging tour against Australia.
Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, while KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel will serve as wicketkeepers. The squad features a blend of established stars and emerging talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
In the bowling unit, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna will shoulder the attack.
India’s ODI squad for the Australia tour:
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), 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.
This move signals the continuation of a transition phase in Indian cricket, where selectors are gradually blending youth with experience in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
For fans, the change is both emotional and exciting — emotional, as it likely marks the end of Rohit Sharma’s era as ODI captain, but exciting, as a fresh chapter begins under Shubman Gill’s leadership.
As India gears up for the high-stakes series against Australia, all eyes will be on Gill’s captaincy debut in ODIs — a true test of his potential to lead the next generation of Indian cricket.
