TV
Indian cricket continues to remain full of surprises, especially in this transition phase. The biggest challenge is the near-impossible demand of leading across all three formats. Just a day after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee hinted at Shubman Gill being groomed as an all-format leader by naming the Test captain as vice-captain of the Asia Cup T20I squad, fresh reports suggest a different plan for ODIs. According to sections of the media, the BCCI is seriously considering Shreyas Iyer as the long-term captain for the 50-over format, potentially till the 2027 World Cup.
Although Iyer missed out on the 15-member T20 squad for the Asia Cup, his recent form has made him a strong contender. His performances in the Champions Trophy earlier this year were particularly influential in India’s title win, where he scored 243 runs in five innings with consistent contributions of 15, 56, 79, 45 and 48.
At 30, Iyer already has an impressive ODI record—2845 runs in 70 matches at an average of 48.22, including five centuries. While his batting credentials are proven, the selectors and team management now see him as a serious leadership option.
However, when this transition happens will depend largely on Rohit Sharma’s plans. Rohit, who still captains the ODI side, turned 38 this year. With him and Virat Kohli already retired from T20Is and Tests, speculation is rising that the October ODI series against Australia could be their final international appearance. The BCCI is expected to hold discussions with both players after the Asia Cup before finalizing the roadmap.
If Rohit steps aside, Iyer could be handed the captaincy as early as the Australia series. If he continues, the change might be postponed.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill—once seen as a candidate for all-format captaincy—appears unlikely to be given the ODI leadership. Despite serving as vice-captain in the format and boasting strong numbers, the board is mindful of his workload. Gill has already captained India in Tests against England and is now deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the T20 setup for the Asia Cup, carrying a significant leadership burden across formats.
