The Indian cricket world will soon witness a major change. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors seem to be opting for a new course for the future as senior veterans gradually stepping away from certain formats.
The recent incident points out that batter Shreyas Iyer has come out as the top contender to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s new ODI captain.
The thought of a leadership change has been in the works for some time, particularly with the challenge of managing players across all three formats. Only a day earlier, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel had fueled speculation about Shubman Gill’s potential as an all-format leader by naming him vice-captain of the Asia Cup-bound T20I squad, where Suryakumar Yadav will lead. However, fresh reports now indicate that the selectors and the board are leaning towards Iyer for the one-day captaincy.
Although no formal announcement has been made, Iyer is being considered a strong candidate to guide the team in ODIs, possibly until the 2027 World Cup. His steady batting performances and composure under pressure have boosted his chances of assuming a leadership role.
Iyer, who narrowly missed out on selection for the Asia Cup T20 squad due to the 15-member cap, recently showcased his class in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. He was instrumental in India’s successful campaign, scoring 243 runs across five matches with consistent contributions of 15, 56, 79, 45 and 48. At 30, he has already built an impressive ODI record — 2845 runs in 70 matches at an average of 48.22, including five centuries. These numbers underline his reliability as a batter and his growing stature in the team setup.
The timing of this possible captaincy handover, however, hinges on Rohit Sharma’s plans regarding his international career. Rohit, who turned 38 this year, continues to lead the ODI side but has already retired from both Tests and T20Is along with Virat Kohli. With speculation mounting about their futures, the upcoming ODI series against Australia in October could potentially be their last international assignment. Sources suggest that the BCCI will hold key meetings after the Asia Cup to finalize a roadmap, including discussions with both Rohit and Kohli on their next steps.
If Rohit decides to step aside, Iyer could be handed the reins as early as the Australia series. If not, the selectors may choose to delay the transition until after a clearer decision is reached.
Why Shubman Gill Was Not Considered for ODI Captaincy
While Gill was initially seen as a possible all-format captain, the board has decided against burdening him further. Gill, who has already been entrusted with significant leadership duties by captaining India in Tests during the England series and now serving as vice-captain in the T20 setup, has a heavy workload to manage. Despite his remarkable ODI record and experience as vice-captain in the format, the management is keen to prioritize his longevity and performance across formats.
As things stand, Shreyas Iyer appears to be the favored choice to take Indian cricket into its next phase in ODIs, with the transition dependent on Rohit Sharma’s call about his future.
