The BCCI officially rubbished speculative rumors that Shreyas Iyer is being considered a replacement for Rohit Sharma as India's next ODI skipper. In an exclusive response to Hindustan Times, the BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said, "That's news to me. There have been no such discussions." Meanwhile, sources claim that Test skipper Shubman Gill remains the favourite to take the ODI leadership reins when Rohit hangs up his boots.

Gill Emerges as BCCI’s Preferred Successor Over Iyer


While the focus has tended to be on Shreyas Iyer, Gill's leadership path is believed to make him the natural choice. Already the India captain in Tests and vice-captain in limited-overs cricket, Gill has steadily risen in responsibility.

The BCCI views this as a strategy to phase out the leadership transition slowly. His outstanding ODI numbers - an average of over 59 - highlight his claim to the position.

Though Iyer's leadership attributes are widely praised - he has brightened IPL campaigns and contributed to India's current Champions Trophy campaign - he is still under consideration and not a specific selection.

Gill's existing captaincy work across formats looks considerable enough that the BCCI would rather have a gradual transition timeline than a swift reassignment.

Gill Poised to Lead India’s ODI Transition

  • Test Leadership: With Rohit Sharma retired from Tests, Shubman Gill was appointed India's 37th Test captain ahead of the England series.
  • ODI Landscape: Despite numerous speculations and expert opinions favoring Iyer, the board’s silence and strategic planning lean toward Gill. Former players like Mohammad Kaif publicly backed Gill as Rohit’s successor.
  • Upcoming Scheduling: A post– Asia Cup conclave of selectors and BCCI officials will likely fix the road map for Rohit Sharma's succession in ODIs, possibly endorsing the ODI captaincy announcement by September.


Final Thoughts

The transition occurs amidst large-scale structural changes in Indian cricket leadership. Rohit Sharma, now 38, is still captaining India's ODI team, but retirement is on the horizon. Judiciously balancing the succession plan is still on the BCCI agenda to provide continuity across formats.

Gill's promotion would further solidify his position as a key player in Indian cricket's new era, while Iyer's leadership chances remain bright, but not yet settled.

There's no talk in the BCCI about making Shreyas Iyer the next ODI captain of India. Shubman Gill, Test captain and ODI vice-captain, is the favored choice when Rohit Sharma hangs up his boots.