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Shreyas Iyer Or Shubman Gill: Who Will Become India's ODI Captain? Chopra Gives His Verdict

Poulomi Chakraborty

Aakash Chopra On Team India's ODI Captaincy Drama (Source: AFP Photos)Aakash Chopra On Team India's ODI Captaincy Drama (Source: AFP Photos)

The ODI captaincy saga of the Indian cricket team is leaving the cricket world on its toes. After the Test baton passed easily to Shubman Gill, who will be taking the reins after Rohit Sharma in the 50-over format is sparking debate.

After Gill was handed over the vice-captaincy of the T20I side, Shreyas Iyer’s name emerged as the next ODI skipper of Team India. In his recent YouTube video, former Indian batter Aakash Chopra weighed in on the debate and revealed his pick for the team’s future leader.

Aakash Chopra Reveals His Pick In India’s ODI Leadership Battle

After Rohit Sharma retired from the Test and T20I formats, the Indian great is set to feature only in the 50-over format. As he is standing on the twilight of his career, the team management is shifting focus towards the future. After taking charge as Team India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill has been handed over the vice-captaincy in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

As the chances are high for Gill to take over in the 50-over format too, a speculation went over Shreyas Iyer to replace Rohit Sharma as Team India’s ODI captain in the near future. Addressing the debate in his #AskAakash YouTube segment, Aakash Chopra shared his clear stance on the debate.

“Good question, because the rumor mill is active. It was said that Shreyas Iyer would become the captain, that he would pip Shubman Gill to the post. Sir, where do you get it? In my opinion, the next (ODI) captain has been decided without a formal appointment. It has been decided that it would be Shubman Gill,” he said.

Gill Is An Obvious Choice

In recent years, Shubman Gill’s rapid rise on the global cricket stage has been outstanding. Taking the reins of Team India in the longest format, Gill led the way from the front, swinging his bat on high. He ended the Test series as the highest run scorer with 754 runs. After that tremendous success, Gill has replaced Axar Patel as T20I vice-captain. Observing these moves, Aakash Chopra backed Gill as the clear frontrunner to become India’s next ODI captain.

“He is the Test captain. He has been made T20I vice-captain, maybe not out of turn as they had a logic, but Axar Patel hadn't done anything wrong, and no one felt that the spot would automatically go to him, and you could have argued against it as well. If he has been made the T20I vice-captain, he is already the ODI vice-captain. So don't ask the question. Shubman Gill is going to be the next captain,” he added.

As Team India is all set to face Australia in an ODI series in October 2025, Rohit Sharma is set to come back on the field. As he wished to play the 2027 World Cup but a report indicates his early retirement. After his exit, time will decide his true successor.