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3 Surprise Captaincy Picks For India If Rohit Sharma Retires After Champions Trophy Final

Abhinav Tyagi

Sheryas Iyer - (AP)Sheryas Iyer - (AP)

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India will lock horns against New Zealand in the final of Champions Trophy 2025 on March 9 at the Dubai International Stadium. The Men in Blue stand a chance to win consecutive ICC events as they are fresh off celebrating T20 World Cup success in Barbados.

Talking about individual performances, then skipper Rohit Sharma has had a disappointing tournament so far. The hitman has amassed just 104 runs in four innings, averaging just 26. The critics are after Rohit and rumours also suggest that the hitman might consider leaving ODI cricket in case India fail in the finals or step down as India's captain and continue as a batter.

Meanwhile, the reports are that Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are the frontrunners to replace the hitman. However, this article will shed light on three out-of-the-box captaincy choice for India going into 2027 ODI World Cup.

1. Jasprit Bumrah

It is worth noting that Bumrah, who has had a tryst with injury, isn't being considered as a captaincy choice for India going forward. However, Bumrah isn't a bad option. 

The right-arm seamer is yet to lead India in white-ball cricket, but he is the front-runner in Test cricket. In fact, when Rohit Sharma missed the first Test against Australia, Bumrah stepped up to lead the side. 

He impressed the critics and also helped India register a win in the opening match and take the lead. Although Bumrah lost the fifth Test match vs Australia while captaining the team, since he is Rohit's deputy in Tests, Bumrah can also be tested as a captain in ODIs.

2. Shreyas Iyer

Iyer has had a remarkable turn of things as he, who is still out of central contract, has made a strong return to the side as he smashed a century in the Champions Trophy. Not only is he doing the talk with the bat, but has also shown a great potential as a leader.

In the past year, Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL trophy and also helped Mumbai win the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Further, he will lead the Punjab Kings in the coming season. 

At present, Pant is struggling to find a place in the Indian ODI set-up. However, with one or two changes in the team, Pant can find a spot in the middle order and his being a keeper, gives him an advantage in the pecking order of the list of players shortlisted to lead the Indian team in the future. 

Further, Pant also has captaincy experience as he led India in T20Is as a stand-in skipper. Patn led India against South Africa in 2022 at the age of 22, becoming the second-youngest Indian to captain India in T20Is. He also led Delhi Capitals in the IPL and will captain Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2025.