Shubman Gill might lead India in all three formats: Vikram Rathour

Shubman Gill led Team India for the first time during the Zimbabwe tour as the young brigade won the series 4-1. The India opener also leads Gujarat Titan in the Indian Premier League. He is also named as the vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, overcoming the expected names. According to the former India batting coach Vikram Rathour, Gill will lead India in all three formats soon.

The 24-year-old was tactical in his thinking during the Zimbabwe series after a shocking defeat in the first T20I. His captaincy came under scrutiny during IPL 2024, as GT failed to cement a playoff berth. Rathour stressed that captaincy responsibilities just made the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma better and he expects a similar result from Gill, given he is bestowed with an opportunity.

“Whatever I have seen him, be it for the Gujarat Titans or in Zimbabwe (when Gill led in a T20 series), he did a good job. He has shown terrific body language, which is a must if you are leading a side. Now with the vice-captaincy, the BCCI has given him extra responsibility and I am sure he will thrive in this role,” said Rathour as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“I feel captaincy brought the best out of Virat and Rohit and I feel it will do the same for Shubman. Although, he is not yet the captain, being in the leadership group will bring the best out of him as well. This is I am very sure off. When you are in that role, leading others, it gives you that extra bit of responsibility, which is good and I think is great for a young kid like Shubman, who one day might lead India in all three formats,” he added.

Split captaincy debate in Indian cricket takes a turn

Former India captain, MS Dhoni, while stepping down from the role, said that split captaincy will hardly work in Indian cricket. Contrary to his views, Gautam Gambhir had suggested Rohit Sharma would hold the white-ball captaincy and suggested split captaincy. As Gambhir has been named as the Head Coach of Team India, Suryakumar Yadav has been named as T20I captain as Rohit has retired from T20Is and the latter holds the position in ODIs and Tests.