Shubman Gill Appointed ODI Captain for Australia Tour as Rohit Sharma Steps Down

(Ahmedabad, India) – Shubman Gill has been named captain of the Indian ODI team for the upcoming series against Australia, marking a major leadership change as Rohit Sharma steps down. The announcement was made today during a press conference by BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Gill, who has already been leading the Test side, will take on this new role for the three-match ODI series scheduled from October 19 to 25. The matches will take place in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the vice-captain, aiming to provide additional support and stability.

Rohit Sharma and veteran batsman Virat Kohli have been retained in the 15-member squad, emphasizing a balance between experience and fresh leadership. Sharma has played a pivotal role in India’s white-ball success, including the recent Champions Trophy victory, prompting many to question the decision behind the captaincy shift.

“The decision to appoint Gill was made with an eye towards the future,” Agarkar detailed. “It’s important for the new captain to get ample time to adjust. Rohit has been informed about this change.”

Amidst these changes, India’s top fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested to manage his workload, while young left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal makes his return to the 50-over format following impressive T20 performances.

The ODI squad comprises Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The T20I squad will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with Gill serving as the vice-captain. “We are excited about both squads,” Agarkar stated, highlighting the blend of youth and experience. The focus remains on performing well in Australia while looking ahead to future international tournaments.

As India embarks on this tour, all eyes will be on Gill as he steps into his new leadership role beginning with the ODIs on October 19.