Shubman Gill has been appointed India's new ODI captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, and will lead the side in the three-match series in Australia starting on October 19. Rohit has been picked in the ODI squad as a batter and, along with Virat Kohli, is set to represent India again for the first time since the 2025 Champions Trophy in March. The selection panel, headed by former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar, met on Saturday in Ahmedabad, where India won the first Test of the series against West Indies by an innings and 140 runs.

The reason behind the captaincy change, it is learned, was that the selectors wanted Gill to settle down well before the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It is understood the decision was taken collectively by Agarkar in coordination with India head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. Gill, 26, now holds formal leadership roles in all three formats as Test and ODI captain and vice-captain of the T20I team. Rohit, 38, was India's full-time ODI captain from December 2021.

Overall, he led India in 56 ODIs, winning 42, losing 12, with one tie and another no-result. He led India to the 2018 Asia Cup title as stand-in captain, and then to the 2023 Asia Cup title as full-time captain. Under his leadership, India made the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. His tenure culminated in India winning the Champions Trophy. Gill had also become India's Test captain following Rohit's retirement from the format in May ahead of India's tour of England this summer. In his maiden series as Test captain, Gill led India to a 2-2 draw in England, and finished as the highest run-scorer with 754 runs at an average of 75.40.

With Rohit and Kohli both retired from Tests and T20Is, the upcoming ODI series in Australia will be their first international appearance in more than seven months. After the three ODIs in Australia, their next opportunities to play for India are in the three-ODI home series against South Africa in November-December and against New Zealand in January. India play three ODIs in Australia on October 19, 23 and 25, followed by five T20Is from October 29 to November 8.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)