Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Shubman Gill will be India’s next ODI captain. It was recently reported that Shreyas Iyer could be India’s next ODI skipper after the Mumbai batter was ignored in the Asia Cup squad.
However, Chopra reckons these are rumors and Gill will take over the ODI captaincy baton from Rohit Sharma. Gill recently led India’s Test team to a 2-2 series draw against England and has also been appointed as T20I vice-captain for the Asia Cup.
The BCCI is looking at Gill as an all-format leader and there have been clear indications regarding the same.
“Good question, because the rumor markets are hot. It was said that Shreyas Iyer would become the captain, that he would pip Shubman Gill to the post. Sir, from where do you get it? In my opinion, the next captain has been decided without appointment. It has been decided that it would be Shubman Gill,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator added that Axar Patel had done nothing wrong to be removed from the vice-captaincy role.
“He is the Test captain. He has been made T20I vice-captain, maybe not out of turn as they had a logic, but Axar Patel hadn’t done anything wrong, and no one felt that the spot would automatically go to him, and you could have argued against it as well. If he has been made the T20I vice-captain, he is already the ODI vice-captain. So don’t ask the question. Shubman Gill is going to be the next captain,” he observed.
The former Delhi cricketer added that both Iyer and Gill are doing a fine job as leaders. Iyer led KKR to glory in IPL 2024; he led Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to the final of the tournament in 2020 and 2025, respectively. On the other hand, Gill took the Gujarat Titans to the playoffs in the last edition and also drew the series against England.
“It’s very difficult to say because the job Shreyas has done has been absolutely outstanding. He won KKR the final and took Punjab to the final. I think he could have been the next in line for captaincy, but Shubman Gill’s records are not bad either. He took the Gujarat Titans to the playoffs in the second year and drew the series in England,” he replied.
“He is also someone who is leading by example, leading from the front, who scores runs. A leader doesn’t ask you to do what he says. A leader says do as I do. So you set the example and Shubman Gill does that job. I am not going to choose one. Shreyas Iyer is a phenomenal skipper, but Shubman Gill is not bad either,” Chopra observed.
While Gill has been ruled out of the upcoming Duleep Trophy, Iyer will play for the West Zone.
