Shubman Gill Poised for Key Leadership Role Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Shubman Gill has been making waves in Indian cricket, recently captaining the team during the five-Test series against England, which ended in a hard-fought draw. His impressive leadership debut has positioned him as a promising future leader not only in Tests but also in the shorter formats.
According to reports from RevSportz, Gill is likely to be named India’s T20I vice-captain for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. This comes as good news for the team, especially with Suryakumar Yadav expected to recover fully and lead the side. Gill would act as Yadav’s second-in-command, rejoining the T20I setup after some time away.
If selected in the Asia Cup squad and included in the playing XI, this will mark Gill’s first T20 International appearance since the series against Sri Lanka in July 2024—right after the T20 World Cup, where he was not part of the playing squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), alongside the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, appears keen to invest in Gill’s leadership capabilities by naming him as the new vice-captain in the T20 format.
Earlier this year, Gill focused heavily on the ODI format during the Champions Trophy and Test cricket on the Australia tour, which led to him missing the subsequent T20I series. During that period, Axar Patel was appointed vice-captain for the home T20I series against England.
Currently serving as India’s ODI vice-captain, many cricket experts believe Shubman Gill is on track to become India’s full-time ODI captain in the near future. Some even speculate that he could lead the Indian side in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Meanwhile, reports from Dainik Jagran highlight that the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia this October could be more than just a regular contest. It might serve as a farewell series for veteran stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the 50-over format, marking the end of an era and a significant transition phase for Indian cricket.
As India looks towards the future, the rise of Shubman Gill as a leader signals a new chapter filled with promise and fresh energy. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely as Gill takes on greater responsibilities and helps steer Team India towards new heights.
Kohli and Rohit’s ODI Future Hinges on Domestic Commitment
According to reports from Dainik Jagran, one crucial factor that could determine whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue playing ODIs until 2027 is their commitment to India’s domestic cricket calendar. The selectors reportedly expect both veterans to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year as a precondition to extending their international ODI careers.
This requirement underscores the board’s focus on maintaining match fitness and form through domestic competitions, ensuring that players stay sharp and ready for the rigors of international cricket.
Axar Patel Continues as Suryakumar Yadav’s Deputy in T20Is
Since Kohli and Rohit’s retirement from T20 Internationals following India’s triumphant 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, Axar Patel has been serving as the vice-captain and trusted second-in-command to Suryakumar Yadav. Axar’s all-round abilities and leadership qualities have been valuable assets to the team’s evolving structure.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Road to Asia Cup Readiness
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, India’s current T20I captain, is reportedly making solid progress in his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). He has been actively batting in the nets and working on his fitness to be match-ready for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Suryakumar’s leadership record has been impressive so far—he has captained India in 22 T20Is, winning 17 of those matches. With a stellar batting average of 38.2 and a strike rate of 167.07 across 83 T20Is, Suryakumar remains a key figure in India’s limited-overs setup.
His recent form was highlighted during the Mumbai T20 League in June, where he scored 122 runs in 4 innings for the Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, showcasing his continued prowess with the bat.
With Kohli and Rohit’s future dependent on their domestic performances and Suryakumar Yadav on track for a full comeback, India’s leadership and batting order appear well balanced ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
