Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the recent decision by the BCCI to appoint Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain, replacing veteran Rohit Sharma. Gavaskar said he is not surprised by the move and called it a logical step aimed at India’s long-term plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Shubman Gill, 25, who already leads the Test team, will captain the ODI side for the first time during the upcoming tour of Australia, starting October 19. Rohit Sharma, who had led India to the Champions Trophy victory, has been relieved of his ODI captaincy, sparking debates among fans and experts.
Gavaskar explained that the BCCI’s decision sends a clear message about Gill’s future role in Indian cricket. “Not surprised because you have to look forward to 2027, the next 50-over World Cup. At the moment, the T20I captaincy is with Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to the Asia Cup win. Shubman was the vice-captain there. So, clearly, the message is that he will soon be an all-format captain,” Gavaskar told Sports Today. 
The cricketing legend also echoed BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar’s point that having three different captains across formats is difficult. He emphasized that a player must be a guaranteed member of the playing XI to lead effectively. “Whoever is going to lead has to be an absolute certainty. If a player is good enough to captain in one format, he should be the captain in all three formats,” Gavaskar added.
According to Gavaskar, the decision is not only about leadership but also about building continuity and stability for India’s future cricket campaigns. He said that having a single captain across formats makes it easier for players to adapt and perform under consistent guidance.
Shubman Gill’s elevation comes at a crucial time as India prepares for the upcoming tours and the World Cup cycle, and experts believe this move reflects the BCCI’s intent to groom him as a long-term leader. Fans are now keenly watching how Gill balances his responsibilities as the Test and ODI captain, and whether he can eventually take over the T20I leadership as well.
