Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill (Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images) The long-term plans of the BCCI management are slowly falling into place and Shubman Gill is now sitting at the center of them. With Gill recently named India’s T20I vice-captain, his elevation as the country’s all-format captain is seen as a matter of when, not if. Gill, who already leads the Test and ODI sides, is expected to take over the T20I captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav after next year’s T20 World Cup, in line with the board’s long-standing preference for a single captain across formats – a model followed by the likes of Australia and England. India’s approach to captain stability has often been clear. When Rohit Sharma replaced Virat Kohli as captain, his age meant that his tenure would not be long. But Gill, still in his twenties and already a proven leader, fits the bill for a sustained run. His first Test series as captain showed exactly why: he led India to a 2-2 draw in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy and held his own in tough conditions.
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What may surprise many, however, is that Gill’s rise to the role was planned years ago. Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola revealed that as early as 2023, the board has earmarked Gill as the future captain. That was the year Gill exploded into world cricket, belting out centuries and double hundreds with ease and, despite missing two World Cup matches due to dengue fever, amassing more than 350 runs in nine matches. According to Ankola, all the selectors, senior players and the team management believed that Gill would eventually take over once Rohit stepped down. “We always knew that Gill would lead India one day. He was already on our radar as captain in 2023,” Ankola said on Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube channel. “Everyone – from the coach and the captain to the former players – felt it was the right choice. Once Rohit retired from Test cricket, the succession became straightforward. Gill not only took over the role but excelled immediately, scoring 756 runs in England at an average of 75.40 and scoring four centuries in one of the best overseas tours by an Indian captain in recent years. India’s performances in the home series against South Africa during his absence further highlighted how essential he has already become – both as a match-winner and a leader. Ankola said Gill’s performance under pressure spoke volumes. “If someone can score 750 runs in England in those conditions, that tells you all you need to know about their mental strength,” he added. He also noted that public criticism is inevitable, regardless of who is chosen. “People always think they know more. Even if you’re doing great things, they’ll find faults.” With Gill’s continued upward trajectory, Indian cricket now seems to have its next long-term leader firmly in place – one who was earmarked by the selectors long before the rest of the world took notice.
