Indian cricket is currently going through a transition phase. Over the past year, there have been several major changes — a new head coach, a young Test captain, and the retirement of legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin from Test cricket. The Asia Cup will also mark Shubman Gill’s return to T20 cricket as the Test captain. However, after the squad announcement, the biggest talking point has been Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion, as he hasn’t even been picked among the reserve players.
No Discussion on Iyer for ODI Captaincy: Saikia
Soon after, some reports claimed that the BCCI was considering Shreyas Iyer as the successor to Rohit Sharma for the ODI captaincy. The plan suggested that Gill would eventually lead the T20 side after Suryakumar Yadav, while Iyer would take charge of the ODI team. However, the BCCI denied these claims. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Hindustan Times that no such discussions have taken place.
A BCCI source also revealed the board’s thought process regarding ODI captaincy and hinted that, in the future, all three formats could be led by a single player.
Rohit Sharma Nearing the End of His Career
At 38, Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career. He has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket but continues to focus on the ODI format, with his eyes set on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit still remains one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world, but given his age, there is uncertainty over whether he will play until the next World Cup.
Shubman Gill Emerges as the Top Choice for ODI Captaincy
While Shreyas Iyer is certainly a contender to succeed Rohit Sharma, he is not the BCCI’s first preference. According to a BCCI source quoted by Hindustan Times, Shubman Gill, the current Test captain, is seen as the natural choice for future ODI leadership.
The source said:
“Gill averages 59 in ODIs and is already the team’s vice-captain. It’s unlikely that someone who has recently been appointed Test captain, achieved success there, and has age on his side, will not eventually lead the ODI team when the time comes.”
For now, Rohit Sharma remains the ODI captain, and he will lead the team in the upcoming three-match series against Australia in October. Whoever his successor will be, they will have to wait for their opportunity.