Suresh Raina, a former cricketer, believes that it is quite obvious Rohit Sharma, India ODI captain, knows that Shubman Gill is going to be the future leader of this side. This is why Gill has been awarded the vice-captaincy for the Champions Trophy. Raina also feels Gill is one of the best captains India has ever had and much like Virat Kohli.
All this, however, raises a few eyebrows among real fans of the game because Gill, who has been impressive in 2023 with five ODI hundreds, was chosen vice-captain ahead of the seniors like Jasprit Bumrah(just confirming his availability), Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant. Ajit Agarkar, chief selector, said it was because of “dressing room feedback” and “leadership qualities,” if one were to mingle sense into it.
“I think Shubman Gill is the next superstar in India,” Raina said in a press event organized by Star Sports. “He has done incredibly well as an ODI player. When you’re giving such a huge opportunity to a young player, making him vice-captain in the ICC Champions Trophy, speaks volumes for his worth. Rohit Sharma obviously knows who his deputy would be in future, who will be the next captain.”
“Shubman Gill is one of the best Indian captains we’ve seen, especially with how he led the Gujarat team in IPL. His consistent performance in the last 12-16 months justifies that decision. That’s why Rohit will open with him-it’s a great move by the selectors and Rohit Sharma himself. The way Rohit has seen Gill lead is very much how Virat Kohli did. Gill works so hard for a captain on the field. He knows his team, leads by example, and has an excellent game sense. It’s a very clever move by the selectors and Rohit.”
Gill was India’s best batsman in 2023 and was thus a certain first-choice opening batsman. Reports, however, claim that Rohit and Agarkar backed him for that position, even as head coach Gautam Gambhir tried to push for Pandya to be the vice-captain.
Pandya was Gill’s replacement as captain of the Gujarat Tians in the IPL, having led the side to back-to-back finals, winning the first of the two. Under Gill, they seemed to have run out of luck and finished eighth after losing seven out of their fourteen matches.
India’s Champions Trophy campaign commences on February 20 against Bangladesh.
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