Shubman Gill’s rise through India’s leadership ladder has looked quick from the outside, but those involved in the process say the planning began much earlier. Gill is already India’s Test and ODI captain, and with his appointment as T20I vice-captain during the Asia Cup 2025, the signs have been clear as daylight. With all these developments, the BCCI sees him as their long-term all-format leader.
His body of work in 2024 and 2025 only strengthened his case. Gill handled a young Test side brilliantly in England, outscoring everyone heavily and showing he can lead a young bunch of players in tough conditions. Even as Suryakumar Yadav continues with an outstanding T20I record (as captain), the idea of Gill eventually taking over seems a foregone conclusion. It is just that Gill needs some good T20I knocks under his belt and that would eventually happen as well.
Gill was identified as a future captain long ago
Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola revealed that Gill was marked out for leadership as far back as 2023, long before he had proven himself across formats.
“We always thought Gill would become the captain. We had considered him for the role right from 2023, believing he would take the reins in his hands,” Ankola said on Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube channel. He added that the decision was not a hasty one or based on short-term form. “Selectors do take suggestions not only from the coach and captain but also senior players. They also felt he was the right guy, even those who retired earlier. It is a collective decision. Everyone felt it, and he proved it in England.”
Ankola stating that selectors take suggestions from senior players and support staff is the same fact that Ajit Agarkar also mentioned when Suryakumar Yadav was named India’s T20I captain once Rohit Sharma retired. There was a toss-up between Suryakumar and Hardik Pandya as the latter used to lead India in the absence of Rohit. But the influence of senior players and Suryakumar’s leadership skills were lauded in the Indian cricketing circuit, leading him to become the face of the side post T20 World Cup 2024.
Gill being all-format captain is inevitable
Gill is back in India’s T20I squad after recovering from neck spasms that forced him out of the South Africa ODIs. His T20I numbers may not yet match the explosiveness of Sanju Samson or Yashasvi Jaiswal, but the talent is obviously there. He was handed responsibility early, backed through dips, and placed in key leadership roles long before the transition officially arrived. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from the longest format and Suryakumar holding the fort in T20Is, Gill is the present and future. For now, he leads two formats. The third looks more like a matter of timing than debate.
“It is a collective decision. Everyone felt it, and he proved it in England. What a series he had! Under such pressure, if he scores 750 runs in England, that shows his mental capacity. People will say someone else should have been captain or bring someone back. Humans are very unsatisfied souls. Whatever good you do, they will find something bad in it. People think they know everything.”
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