The cricketing world is buzzing following Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s new ODI captain for the upcoming three-match series against Australia. This decision has sparked considerable debate, especially with veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set to return to international cricket after a significant break. Lending his support to the move, former South African captain AB de Villiers praised it as a positive step, suggesting it reflects the selectors’ forward-thinking approach for the long term.
De Villiers didn’t mince words, stating, “It’s not a guarantee both of them will be there for that next World Cup. That’s maybe part of the thinking when they made Shubman Gill the ODI captain. He has a good chance of being there, young gun, in incredible form and a fantastic leader.” His comments underscore the potential shift in India’s team strategy as they eye the 2027 World Cup.
Notably, India’s ODI squad, unveiled recently, features both Rohit and Kohli, but under Gill’s leadership. This upcoming series, kicking off on October 19 against Australia, will be their first international appearance since the Champions Trophy in March, and their return to competitive play after IPL 2025.
However, not everyone agrees with the decision to bring back the stalwarts. Former India chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar raised concerns about recalling players who now specialize in only one format (ODIs), having retired from Tests and T20Is earlier this year. “Rohit and Virat have been great players over the years, but if you are playing just one format of the game, I believe the selectors need to take a call on this,” Vengsarkar commented in an interview with Mid-Day.
Vengsarkar further articulated his concern, stating, “You cannot know or judge the form and fitness of such players because they’ve had a long layoff… it’s very difficult to assess their form and fitness.” In response, Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that both players successfully passed their pre-season fitness tests. Nevertheless, he explicitly stated that their inclusion in the Australia series does not guarantee them a spot in India’s long-term ODI framework for the 2027 World Cup.
The ongoing debate is further highlighted by a public poll asking, ‘Do you agree with Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s new ODI captain?’, offering choices like ‘Yes, it’s a great choice’ and ‘No, they should have retained a veteran’, reflecting the divided opinions among fans and experts.
Despite the differing views, de Villiers maintains that the current setup is perfectly suited for Indian cricket’s evolution. He explained, “I think this was the right move, to still have Rohit and Virat. Shubman Gill will learn from two of the most experienced Indian players of all time, high quality, legendary players.”
Ultimately, the performance in the upcoming series against Australia will be crucial. It will indicate whether the selectors lean towards retaining experienced veterans or fully commit to building the team’s future around young talents like Gill for the next World Cup cycle.