Shikhar Dhawan Predicts The ODI Captain Of Team India After Rohit Sharma

With Rohit Sharma in the latter stages of his illustrious career, the discussion around India’s next captain has begun to gain momentum. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) looks ahead, several young talents have emerged as strong contenders for the leadership role. Among them, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya have shown the temperament and skills required to lead the team into a new era.

While BCCI has yet to make an official decision, cricket experts and former players have started weighing in on who could take over the mantle once Rohit steps down. And now, veteran Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has thrown his support behind Shubman Gill, predicting that the stylish batter will be the next captain of Team India.

Shikhar Dhawan Predicts Shubman Gill as India’s Future Captain

After India’s thrilling victory over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Shikhar Dhawan, who has been a pillar of Indian cricket for over a decade, openly backed Shubman Gill as the next captain.

“Yes, definitely he will become the captain. He is the vice-captain right now, but it is clear that someday he will lead Team India,” Dhawan told reporters.

Dhawan’s endorsement is not surprising. Gill’s consistent performances, composed temperament, and growing leadership skills make him the frontrunner for the coveted role. Having already captained teams at various levels, Gill’s natural leadership abilities are evident, and many believe he is being groomed for the big responsibility.

Why is Shubman Gill the Leading Contender for Captaincy?

1. Leadership Experience at a Young Age

Gill is not new to leadership roles. He captained India’s U-19 team and played a crucial role in the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup victory. His ability to stay calm under pressure and make the right decisions has been evident since his early days.

In the IPL, Gill has also showcased leadership qualities while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT). His game awareness, adaptability, and understanding of the modern T20 approach make him a strong candidate for India’s future captaincy.

2. Current Vice-Captaincy Role

Currently, Gill is India’s vice-captain, which already puts him in the leadership group. The BCCI often grooms future captains by assigning them the vice-captaincy role, just like it did with Virat Kohli before taking over from MS Dhoni.

With Gill already in a leadership position, it seems only a matter of time before he takes the full-time role when Rohit Sharma steps aside.

3. Calm Demeanor and Strategic Mindset

One of the biggest traits that define great captains is their ability to stay calm under pressure. Whether it’s MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, or Rohit Sharma, they have all exhibited strong composure on the field.

Gill, too, has shown a similar approach. Unlike aggressive and animated leaders like Virat Kohli, Gill is more in the Rohit Sharma-Dhoni mold, known for his strategic mindset and cool temperament.

His ability to make smart decisions, back his instincts, and remain composed makes him a strong captaincy material.

Gill’s Fine Form Strengthens His Captaincy Case

If captaincy discussions were based solely on form, Shubman Gill would be an undisputed choice. He has been in red-hot form, proving his worth across all formats.

1. Dominance in ODI Cricket

Gill has dominated the ODI format, with his batting average consistently above 50. His performances in bilateral series and ICC tournaments have been nothing short of phenomenal.

2. ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Performance

Gill’s exceptional performances in the Champions Trophy 2025 have further solidified his position as a future leader:

Century vs Bangladesh – He kickstarted India’s campaign with a magnificent century, setting the tone for the tournament.
Crucial Knock vs Pakistan – In the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash, Gill played a solid innings, missing his half-century by just four runs. His ability to perform under pressure in high-voltage encounters highlights his big-match temperament.

3. Stellar IPL Performances

Gill has also been sensational in the IPL, emerging as one of the top performers. He finished as the highest run-scorer in IPL 2023 and has maintained his consistency ever since.

With leadership stints in the IPL and dominant performances for Team India, Gill has already shown glimpses of what he can bring to the table as a future captain.

Other Contenders for India’s Captaincy

While Shubman Gill is a strong contender, there are other players in the race:

1. Rishabh Pant – The X-Factor Leader

Pant has already captained Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL and has shown glimpses of aggressive leadership.
His natural instincts and fearless cricketing style make him an exciting option.
However, his recent injury struggles and inconsistent form might work against him.

2. Hardik Pandya – The T20 Specialist Captain

Hardik has proven his leadership skills by leading Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in 2022.
His ability to control the game in pressure situations and his all-round skills make him a strong captaincy option, particularly in T20 cricket.
However, his fitness concerns and workload management could be an issue for long-term captaincy in all formats.

3. KL Rahul – The Experienced Candidate

Rahul has led India multiple times in different formats, proving he has the experience.
He remains a dependable batter in ODIs and Tests.
But his strike rate in limited-overs cricket and inconsistent captaincy in the IPL have raised questions about whether he is the ideal long-term choice.

While Pant, Pandya, and Rahul remain in contention, Gill’s form, composure, and leadership experience make him the strongest contender for the role.

The Road Ahead: When Will Gill Take Over?

Although Rohit Sharma is still leading the team, the transition phase will likely begin soon.

1. Possible Scenarios for Captaincy Transition

After the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 – If India wins, Rohit might step down to focus on Tests and let Gill or another young player take over in limited-overs formats.
After the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 – Rohit could continue until the 2026 T20 World Cup and then hand over the leadership completely.
Post ICC ODI World Cup 2027 – If Rohit decides to continue until the next 50-over World Cup, Gill might have to wait longer.

Given Gill’s current position as vice-captain, it is almost certain that he will take over in the next 1-2 years.

Is Shubman Gill India’s Next Captain?

With Shikhar Dhawan’s backing and Gill’s performances in the Champions Trophy 2025, it seems evident that the young batter is being groomed for the biggest role in Indian cricket.

Vice-captain of the team
Calm and composed leader
Outstanding form across formats
Proven leadership skills from U-19 days
Endorsement from cricket experts like Dhawan

As India prepares for a new generation of leaders, Shubman Gill is undoubtedly the frontrunner to take over from Rohit Sharma and lead Team India into the future.

With his current trajectory, Gill is not just the future captain of India—he is a future legend in the making.

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