Shubman Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, has disclosed that he was aware of his nomination as ODI captain prior to the official announcement and Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. The youthful opener made the disclosure during a media interview ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi.
Shubman Gill is now leading India in Tests, having taken over earlier this year during the England series, which finished in a 2-2 draw.
Under his leadership, they presently have a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series against the West Indies. Giill will face Australia in his maiden ODI as captain on October 19, where he will be joined by the experienced duo of Rohit and Virat Kohli, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice captain.
“Yes, it was announced in the middle of the first Test match but I got to know a little before that. It obviously is a big responsibility and an even bigger honour. So, very excited to lead my country in the ODI format,” Gill told the media.
The past few months have been nothing short of a whirlwind for the Punjab-born, whose cricketing journey has seen a remarkable upward trajectory. Despite the growing spotlight and expectations, the 25-year-old remains grounded. Gill emphasized that he is not getting carried away by the success and is focused on maintaining consistency and contributing to the team’s progress across formats.
“The last few months have been very exciting for me. But I’m really looking forward to what the future has. I want to stay as present as possible and don’t really want to look back on what I’ve been able to achieve or what we as a team have been able to achieve. Just want to look forward and win everything that we have in the upcoming months,” the cricketer said further.
Replacing a seasoned leader like Rohit is never an easy task, but Gill’s early words and composed demeanor suggest he is not burdened by the weight of legacy. The youngster has already shown signs of mature leadership, having served as vice-captain during India’s triumphant Asia Cup 2025 campaign, where Suryakumar Yadav led the side. With his growing influence across formats and a calm yet assertive approach on and off the field, it may not be long before the 26-year-old evolves into India’s all-format captain.
India
