In a significant shake-up for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill was officially named the One-Day International (ODI) captain on Saturday. This pivotal decision is the result of a meticulously planned, year-long process orchestrated by the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir, as revealed by internal sources.
While major leadership transitions in Indian cricket have historically been met with apprehension, Gill’s elevation is not intended as a critique of Rohit Sharma’s leadership capabilities or his standing as an ODI batsman. Rather, it delivers a clear and emphatic message to both Rohit and Virat Kohli regarding their future roles in the ODI format, particularly as the team looks ahead to the 2027 World Cup.
Both Rohit and Kohli have been included in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia later this month, a recognition of their outstanding performances in India’s victorious ICC Champions Trophy campaign in March, which marked the team’s most recent ODI outing. However, moving forward, sources confirm that their selection will be strictly based on current form and merit.
No One Is Indispensable
When Gautam Gambhir assumed the role of head coach in July 2024, he collaborated closely with chief selector Ajit Agarkar to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the national team across all formats, with a clear focus on the 2027 World Cup. Gill had previously been appointed vice-captain in T20Is and ODIs, a decision influenced by the fitness concerns surrounding other senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
The need for this strategic overhaul became evident after India’s disappointing home Test series defeat against New Zealand, followed by another series loss in Australia. Gambhir has consistently advocated for moving beyond Indian cricket’s prevailing ‘superstar culture’, emphasizing that collective team performance and long-term vision must take precedence.
A BCCI source elaborated, "This has been a united effort by Gambhir and Agarkar. They understand that it will be challenging for both Rohit and Kohli to maintain their peak form over the next two years, given they are in their late thirties. The goal was to avoid being caught unprepared if either player experienced a sudden dip in form, which could have led to chaos within the leadership group. The duo’s retirement from Tests just days before the selection for the England tour underscored this need." The source further added, "The team’s success in the Champions Trophy and two Tests in England, even without Bumrah, has instilled confidence that no single player is indispensable in the current setup."
Fostering a Consistent Dressing Room Culture
Given the BCCI’s intention to groom Gill as an all-format leader, maintaining Rohit at the helm of the ODI team could have led to conflicting team cultures across different formats. With ODIs being played less frequently compared to Tests and T20Is, a distinct leadership philosophy in that format could have inadvertently disrupted the broader team environment.
"During his initial six months, Gambhir adopted a more reserved approach in Tests and ODIs. However, the setbacks against New Zealand and Australia prompted him to take a firmer hand in shaping the team’s direction and implementing a cohesive strategy," stated BCCI sources.