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Why Shubman Gill Has Been Preferred Over KL Rahul As India A Captain In Duleep Trophy 2024?

Shubman Gill and KL Rahul for India in Test cricket (X.com)Shubman Gill and KL Rahul for India in Test cricket (X.com)

Shubman Gill is fast growing in stature in world cricket, and was recently made India's vice-captain in white-ball formats for Sri Lanka tour. He also led India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, and is now been named as the captain of India A in Duleep Trophy 2024 over KL Rahul who is also in the same team.

So, why exactly has Gill been preferred as Duleep Trophy captain over KL Rahul who even has the experience of leading India in Test cricket. Let's find out.

Shubman Gill Seen As Next All-Format India Captain

Shubman Gill is one of the most talented youngsters in Indian cricket, and it seems that selectors and BCCI have made up their mind to groom him as the next captain after Rohit Sharma. 

According to the reports, he is set to take over the vice-captaincy of the Test side from Jasprit Bumrah and Duleep Trophy presented a perfect opportunity to selectors to provide him experience of leading some senior players before the big test at the international level.

Time Over For KL Rahul, The Captain

KL Rahul is now 32-year-old, and BCCI now seem to be keen to find a long-term captaincy option and so they are likely to try out younger players from hereon. KL Rahul has led India in three Test matches, 12 ODIs and 1 T20I and his record has been decent. 

However, his leadership skills have been criticised in the past for being too timid, and with him being removed as ODI vice-captain too, it seems that selectors have decided to move on from the stylish right-hander.

Also, KL Rahul's batting record as captain is not great either and has an average of just 19.16 in three Test matches he has captained India in. Rahul's ODI average is also just 33.55 under his own captaincy compared to his overall average of 52.02 which might also have played its part in selectors looking at other options.

KL Rahul's Test Spot Still A Bone Of Contention

KL Rahul started off his Test career with a century in Sydney and was destined to be the next batting superstar. His ODI stats are quite good, but Test average of just 34.08 in 50 Test matches does not do justice to his talent and that has been the reason he has not been able to seal a regular spot in Indian whites.

He has been tried at varied positions, and in the current setup he is been looked as a middle order batter where the competition is quite intense with plenty of youngsters putting their hands up in the England Test series. 

Gill, on the other hand, looks settled at number 3 after two centuries against England and seems to be well-ahead in the captaincy race keeping in mind the long-term plans of Indian team management.