A major announcement was made midway through the India-West Indies Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 26-year-old Shubman Gill has been appointed captain of the ODI team.
Fans were overjoyed when he assumed this responsibility, replacing Rohit Sharma. However, many are asking, “Is this too soon?” Gill disappeared from the field during the match.
The reason given was a virtual selection meeting where he was assigned this role. Vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja took charge of the team, and Devdutt Padikkal substituted.
Gill is already the Test captain and deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in T20s. Now, he also has the responsibility of ODIs.
The BCCI considers him a poster boy, with 16 brands. But this is like running in a race.
So much burden, so soon: What are Gill’s challenges?
Just look at Gill’s schedule and you’ll be breathless. From October 10th to December 19th, after the West Indies Tests, fly to Australia on the 15th. Three ODIs there from October 19th, then five T20Is.
Followed by the South Africa tour: two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.
Opening and captaining in ODIs, batting at No. 4 in Tests, opening with Abhishek Sharma in T20s. Plus, handling seniors like Rohit and Virat.
When selector Ajit Agarkar was asked about burnout, he said,
“Hopefully, that won’t happen. I mean, he’s still quite young. I mean, we saw what he did under immense pressure in England. So, there were really positive signs there. You’ve seen his record as a batsman in ODI cricket. We hope there’s no burnout.”
Gill has an impressive ODI record: 2,775 runs in 55 matches, an average of 59.04, and a strike rate of 99.56. Eight centuries, 15 half-centuries. Gill, who idolizes Virat Kohli, is on the same path. But ego and ambition can get in the way of captaincy.
Tests were easier because Rohit and Virat are retired. Rohit built the ODI team in 2021. Now Gill has to groom the youngsters and manage the seniors.
What the experts say, and the way forward
Former player Mohammad Kaif spoke openly on YouTube.
He said, “He’s getting all this too quickly. This can be detrimental. When you achieve so much in such a short time, it can backfire.”
Kaif also addressed the burden, saying, “I say don’t overburden him. He captains Tests and bats at number four. He was made vice-captain in the Asia Cup, and now he’ll take over after Suryakumar Yadav stepped down. Now you’ve made him the ODI captain.
I think everything is being rushed. No player ever asks for the captaincy. Everyone knows he didn’t want it. You can’t demand it, but it seems everyone likes him very much and considers him a future captain. The selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, have put pressure on him.”
This transition seems smart ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The selection committee’s goal is to settle Gill in. Rohit is still in the squad and will bat in ODIs.
