Not Shubman Gill! Sunil Narine picks next captain of Team India after Rohit Sharma

Not Shubman Gill! Sunil Narine picks next captain of Team India after Rohit Sharma

With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 now in India’s trophy cabinet, Rohit Sharma has further cemented his legacy as one of the nation’s most successful captains. Under his leadership, India has dominated world cricket across formats, showcasing a blend of experienced stars and rising talents. However, as Rohit enters the twilight of his career, discussions about his successor are beginning to take center stage.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must soon make a critical decision regarding the team’s leadership transition. Who will be the right candidate to carry forward Rohit’s legacy and lead India into the next era of cricketing excellence?

While Shubman Gill has emerged as a frontrunner for the role, West Indies star Sunil Narine has offered a surprising suggestion—Yashasvi Jaiswal. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has also been a part of the captaincy conversation, but Narine believes he might not be a viable long-term option.

The Leadership Puzzle: India’s Next Captain After Rohit Sharma

As the search for Rohit’s successor intensifies, let’s take a detailed look at the potential candidates and why each of them could or could not be India’s next full-time captain.

Shubman Gill – The Ideal Successor?

One of the most talked-about names for the future captaincy of India is Shubman Gill. The talented right-handed batter has already been groomed for leadership, as he was named India’s vice-captain for the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, where India lifted the trophy under Rohit Sharma.

Why Gill Makes a Strong Captaincy Candidate

👉 Consistent Performer Across Formats – Gill has been one of India’s most consistent batters in recent years, delivering strong performances in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. His adaptability makes him a reliable choice to lead the side across formats.

👉 Calm and Composed Under Pressure – Much like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, Gill possesses a cool-headed temperament, which is crucial for a captain to make smart decisions in pressure situations.

👉 Leadership Experience in IPL – Having led Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2024, Gill has already gained valuable captaincy experience in one of the toughest T20 leagues in the world.

👉 Respected by Teammates – Gill has built a strong rapport with both senior players and youngsters, making him a natural leader in the dressing room.

Concerns About Gill’s Captaincy

While Gill is a strong contender, there are certain challenges that could impact his chances of becoming India’s full-time captain:

  • Lack of extensive captaincy experience at the international level
  • Still evolving as a leader, compared to Rohit and Virat Kohli
  • Injury concerns – While he has been fairly fit, long-term leadership demands both physical and mental endurance

Despite these minor concerns, many cricket experts believe Gill is the best option to replace Rohit Sharma once he steps down.

Sunil Narine’s Pick – Yashasvi Jaiswal as India’s Future Captain?

While most people expect Gill to be Rohit’s natural successor, West Indian cricket star Sunil Narine has thrown a new name into the mix—Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Speaking on the Radio Ka Rohan YouTube channel, Narine pointed out that India has a huge pool of young batting talent, but he believes Jaiswal could be a strong contender for the captaincy role in the future.

Why Narine Believes in Jaiswal’s Captaincy Potential

👉 Aggressive and Fearless Approach – Much like a young Virender Sehwag, Jaiswal has a natural attacking instinct, which could make him an inspirational leader for the Indian team.

👉 Big-Match Performer – Jaiswal has already played match-winning knocks in crucial games, proving that he can handle high-pressure situations.

👉 Rapid Growth in International Cricket – Despite being just 22 years old, Jaiswal has already established himself as a key player for India in Tests and T20Is, indicating that he has the potential to take on bigger responsibilities.

Why Jaiswal Might Not Be Ready Yet

While Jaiswal has immense talent, there are a few reasons why he might not be India’s captain right now:

  • Lack of Captaincy Experience – Unlike Gill, Jaiswal has not led any IPL team or had substantial leadership roles in domestic cricket.
  • Needs More Time to Establish Himself – While he has impressed with the bat, he still needs to cement his place in all three formats before taking up captaincy.
  • Temperament Under Pressure – While he is a dynamic player, it remains to be seen how he would handle the extra pressure of captaincy.

Narine’s suggestion is certainly an interesting take, and if Jaiswal continues his rapid rise, he might become a serious captaincy candidate in the future.

Why Jasprit Bumrah Might Not Be a Long-Term Option

Another name that has been floated as a potential captain is Jasprit Bumrah. The ace fast bowler has already led India in Test matches when regular skippers were unavailable, and he has shown exceptional leadership skills on the field.

Why Bumrah Is a Strong Leader

✔️ Calm and composed under pressure – Much like Dhoni, Bumrah has a cool temperament and makes smart tactical decisions.

✔️ Respected senior player – With years of experience, he has the respect of his teammates, a crucial factor for any captain.

✔️ Sharp cricketing mind – He understands match situations well, which is evident from his bowling strategies and field placements.

Why Bumrah Is Unlikely to Be India’s Next Full-Time Captain

Injury Concerns – Fast bowlers often struggle with injuries, and Bumrah has already missed multiple series due to fitness issues. Leading in all three formats might take a toll on him.

Workload Management – Given the rigorous international schedule, India would prefer to rotate their fast bowlers rather than put additional leadership pressure on them.

Limited Captaincy Experience – While he has led India in Test matches, he lacks consistent captaincy experience at the IPL or international level.

Narine also believes that Bumrah is not a viable long-term captain because his workload won’t allow him to play every match consistently.

Final Verdict: Who Should Be India’s Next Captain?

As India prepares for a transition period, selecting the right captain to replace Rohit Sharma will be crucial for the team’s future success.

📌 Shubman Gill – The frontrunner with leadership experience in IPL and as India’s vice-captain.

📌 Yashasvi Jaiswal – A bold choice with immense talent but needs more experience before stepping into the role.

📌 Jasprit Bumrah – A strong tactical leader, but injury concerns make him an unlikely full-time captain.

While Sunil Narine’s backing of Jaiswal is an interesting suggestion, the most logical choice for now seems to be Shubman Gill. With Rohit Sharma likely to continue for another year or two, India has time to assess their options before making a final decision.

Who do you think should be India’s next captain after Rohit Sharma? Let us know in the comments!

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