'Don't really want to look back' - Shubman Gill on succeeding Rohit Sharma as India's ODI captain

Published - 09 Oct 2025, 17:26 IST | Updated - 09 Oct 2025, 18:02 IST

Indian Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has revealed that he was aware of his appointment as India’s ODI skipper even before the official announcement and prior to Rohit Sharma’s removal being made public. The young opener made this revelation during a media interaction ahead of the second Test against West Indies in New Delhi.

Gill is currently leading India in Tests, having taken charge earlier this year during the England series, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Under his leadership, they now lead the ongoing two-match Test series against West Indies 1-0. Giill's first challenge as the ODI skipper will come against Australia on October 19, where he will have the experienced duo of Rohit and Virat Kohli in the side, while Shreyas Iyer will be the vice captain.

“Yes, it was announced in the middle of the first Test match but I got to know a little before that. It obviously is a big responsibility and an even bigger honour. So, very excited to lead my country in the ODI format,” Gill told the media.

The past few months have been nothing short of a whirlwind for the Punjab-born, whose cricketing journey has seen a remarkable upward trajectory. Despite the growing spotlight and expectations, the 25-year-old remains grounded. Gill emphasized that he is not getting carried away by the success and is focused on maintaining consistency and contributing to the team’s progress across formats.

“The last few months have been very exciting for me. But I'm really looking forward to what the future has. I want to stay as present as possible and don’t really want to look back on what I've been able to achieve or what we as a team have been able to achieve. Just want to look forward and win everything that we have in the upcoming months,” the cricketer said further.

Replacing a seasoned leader like Rohit is never an easy task, but Gill’s early words and composed demeanor suggest he is not burdened by the weight of legacy. The youngster has already shown signs of mature leadership, having served as vice-captain during India’s triumphant Asia Cup 2025 campaign, where Suryakumar Yadav led the side. With his growing influence across formats and a calm yet assertive approach on and off the field, it may not be long before the 26-year-old evolves into India’s all-format captain.