Ravichandran Ashwin gives his verdict on Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s vice-captain for ICC Champions Trophy
The appointment of Shubman Gill as the Indian cricket team’s vice-captain for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked a heated debate among fans and experts alike. While some support the decision, others feel Hardik Pandya might have been a more suitable choice. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on the matter, commending the selectors for making a “futuristic move.” He also suggested that the decision could be a sign that the selectors are grooming Gill for a future captaincy role.
“Think about who else in the current squad could be considered for the vice-captain role. I’m not saying whether the decision to make Shubman Gill vice-captain was right or wrong, but the point raised is valid, especially since he was the vice-captain in the last series as well. I could be mistaken, but I believe he’s also had some vice-captaincy experience in Test cricket. This could be a forward-thinking move, as the management might be considering who could take on the leadership role in the future,” Ashwin shared on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin further emphasized that Gill was the ideal choice, as he is likely to be a regular in the playing XI. In contrast, other potential contenders like Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel are still competing for their places in the team.
Axar Patel has been appointed vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against England. There’s fierce competition between Axar and Jadeja over who will make the playing XI. When we talk about Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, the latter is the established wicketkeeper.
“While both Pant and Rahul could play together, they’ve handed the vice-captaincy to the player whose spot in the XI is already secure. If Shubman Gill is groomed to lead in the future, he can rely on the guidance of senior players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah,” he added.
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