Rohit Sharma’s Time Is Ending
Rohit Sharma, India’s ODI captain, is 38. His great career is nearing its end. He has stopped playing Test and T20 cricket. The ODI series against Australia in October 2025 might be his last. He has led India in 56 ODIs, winning 42, with a win percentage of 75%. He scored 2,506 runs as captain, averaging 52.21. His time as leader was full of smart moves and big runs. Now, the BCCI must pick a new captain for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
Two Strong Choices: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer
The BCCI has two main options: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. Both are talented, but they are very different. Gill is young, with huge potential. Iyer is experienced, with a strong record. Choosing between them is tough. It’s like picking between a future star and a proven leader.
Shubman Gill: The Young Star
A Great Batsman
Shubman Gill is a batting genius. In 55 ODIs, he has scored 2,775 runs, averaging 59.04. He has eight centuries, including a double hundred. He is the world’s No. 1 ODI batsman. His place in the team is safe, making him a strong captaincy choice.
Groomed for Leadership
The BCCI has planned Gill’s rise for years. He led India’s tour to Zimbabwe in 2024. He is now the Test captain and T20I vice-captain. Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said, “We see leadership qualities in him.” Gill’s Test captaincy was a success, with a 2-2 draw against England and 585 runs at an average of 146.25.
Leadership Challenges
Gill’s captaincy is still growing. In the IPL, his Gujarat Titans didn’t do well in 2024 and 2025. During a Test match, he got into a heated argument with England’s Zak Crawley. Some said he was trying to copy Virat Kohli’s fiery style. Experts like Sanjay Manjrekar noted he needs to find his own way—calm like MS Dhoni or aggressive like Kohli.
A Big Brand
Gill is a huge star off the field. His brand value is ₹120–140 crore, and he has a big social media following. He’s the face of Indian cricket’s future, making him a smart choice for the BCCI.
Shreyas Iyer: The Proven Leader
A Winning Captain
Shreyas Iyer has an amazing IPL record. He is the only captain to lead three different teams to an IPL final. He took Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020, won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and led Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. His win percentage in the IPL is 56.47%. This shows he can lead any team to success.
A Key ODI Player
Iyer is a vital part of India’s ODI team. In 70 matches, he has scored 2,845 runs at an average of 48.22. He shines in big games, scoring 530 runs in the 2023 World Cup, including a century in the semi-final. He was India’s top scorer in the 2025 Champions Trophy win.
Calm and Smart
Iyer is known for his cool-headed leadership. Ambati Rayudu called him “extraordinarily calm.” Brad Haddin, his coach at Punjab Kings, said, “Everyone plays better with him.” His style is like MS Dhoni’s—calm and process-driven.
A Rocky Path
Iyer has had issues with the BCCI. In 2024, he lost his central contract over a fitness dispute. He was also left out of T20I teams, despite great IPL form. Still, he fought back and proved his worth, showing his mental strength.
The BCCI’s Big Decision
A Changing Story
In August 2025, reports said Iyer was the top choice for ODI captain. This would let Gill focus on Test and T20 cricket. But soon, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia denied it, saying no such talks happened. Other sources then backed Gill, calling him the “natural heir.” This confusion shows the BCCI is still deciding.
What History Tells Us
Past captaincy choices varied. Sourav Ganguly became captain in a crisis. MS Dhoni was a surprise pick who won big. Virat Kohli’s rise was planned. Gill’s path is like Kohli’s—carefully built. Iyer’s is like Ganguly’s—a proven leader for tough times.
Gill vs. Iyer: Who Wins?
Comparing the Two
Gill is the better batsman, with an ODI average of 59.04 compared to Iyer’s 48.22. But Iyer is the better captain, with a stronger IPL record. Iyer is calm and ready now, while Gill is still learning. The BCCI strongly supports Gill, but Iyer’s past issues with the board make him a riskier pick.
The Logical vs. The Likely
Iyer is the logical choice. His IPL success and calm leadership make him perfect for the 2027 World Cup. But Gill is the likely choice. The BCCI has invested in him for years. His Test captaincy and brand value make him their long-term bet.
Final Thoughts
Shreyas Iyer is the best captain for now, with a proven record. But Shubman Gill is the BCCI’s choice for the future. They are betting on his potential to grow into a great leader. As Rohit Sharma’s era ends, Gill is likely to take over, carrying Indian cricket into a new chapter.
About the Author
When we already have Shreyas as natural leader and capable batter than we shouldn’t look beyond him. His age also not that old to overlook him.
Gambhir has been contradicting himself by making Gill all in one star player.