Shreyas Iyer to Take Over as India’s ODI Captain; Gill Not in Line: Report

Indian cricket continues to be full of twists and turns, especially during this period of transition. One big challenge for the players right now is handling all three formats of the game. Adding to the excitement, the selectors recently hinted at making Shubman Gill an all-format captain by naming him vice-captain of the T20I side for the upcoming Asia Cup, where the Test team captain will lead.

But now, it seems the board is exploring a different option for ODIs. Reports suggest that Shreyas Iyer, India’s middle-order batsman, could be the next captain for the 50-over team. While nothing has been officially announced yet, Dainik Jagran reports that the BCCI sees Iyer as a long-term choice to lead India in ODIs, potentially up to the 2027 World Cup.

Shreyas Iyer Emerging as a Strong Contender for India’s ODI Captaincy

Iyer was among the contenders for India’s T20 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup but missed out due to the 15-member squad restriction. Despite that, his recent performances, particularly in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, have strengthened his case. The 30-year-old played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign, scoring 243 runs across five matches with consistent knocks of 15, 56, 79, 45 and 48.

Iyer has already proven himself as a reliable batter, scoring 2,845 runs in 70 ODIs at an average of 48.22, including five centuries. Now, the BCCI and team management are also starting to take a close look at his potential as a leader.

Iyer’s ODI Role Depends on Rohit’s Future; Gill’s Workload Managed

The timing of Iyer taking on a bigger role will depend on Rohit Sharma’s plans for his international career. Rohit, who is still leading India’s ODI team, turned 38 this year. With both him and Virat Kohli already retired from T20s and Tests, many are wondering if the upcoming ODI series against Australia in October could be their last in international cricket.

According to the report, BCCI officials are expected to meet after the Asia Cup to plan the team’s future and talk with Rohit and Kohli about their next steps.

If Rohit decides to step down, Iyer could take over as soon as the Australia series. If not, the transition might be delayed.

Shubman Gill, once seen as a potential all-format captain, is unlikely to lead the ODI team. Even though he recently served as the ODI vice-captain and has a strong record in the format, the BCCI wants to manage his workload more carefully. Gill, who led India in Tests during the England series and is now the T20 vice-captain under Suryakumar Yadav for the Asia Cup, has already been handling a lot of leadership responsibilities.

Gill Will Not Be ODI Captain Due to Busy Schedule

BCCI sources explained that making one player captain across all formats is not a feasible option in the current cricketing calendar. With tours and tournaments packed throughout the year, the mental and physical demands on a three-format captain would be enormous.

After the Asia Cup wraps up in October, India will head to Australia for five T20Is, then come back for a full series against South Africa, which includes two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is in a short time. With such a packed schedule, Gill won’t take on the ODI captaincy to avoid burnout and to help him stay strong in the formats he’s already leading.

ALSO SEE:  BCCI Set to Introduce Fitness Tests Including Bronco Test for Fast Bowlers, Gambhir Endorses Running Approach