Sachin and Dhoni retired long ago. Now, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also nearing the end of their careers. That is why the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing the team in advance for a new era. Following the changes in Test and T20 captaincy, they are now planning a leadership transition in the ODI format as well.
According to reports in Indian media, there is no doubt that Gill will be made ODI captain — only the official announcement remains. The selectors’ aim is to give Gill enough time before the 2027 ODI World Cup so that he can establish himself as a leader while also shaping the team effectively. This decision, however, has cast uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s future. It is believed that the upcoming tour of Australia could be his last series as ODI captain.
Although current captain Rohit Sharma wants to continue playing ODIs and dreams of lifting the World Cup once more, he will be 40 years old by the time of the 2027 World Cup. Remaining active in only one format while maintaining form and fitness could be a major challenge for him. Therefore, the final decision regarding his role rests with the selectors.
Sources suggest that the announcement of Gill as ODI captain is now only a matter of time. He is already leading the team in Tests and serving as vice-captain in T20Is. It is also expected that after the 2026 T20 World Cup, he will replace Suryakumar Yadav as India’s new T20 captain.
