The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia. What’s grabbing all the attention is the change in leadership — young batting sensation Shubman Gill will now lead Team India in the 50-over format, replacing Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain.
This decision marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket — one where the torch is being passed from one generation to the next.
Rohit Sharma’s Incredible Legacy As ODI Captain
It’s the end of a remarkable chapter. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India enjoyed one of its most dominant phases in white-ball cricket. The captain who guided India to two ICC titles within eight months — the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025 — will now make way for the next leader in line.
Rohit’s record speaks volumes about his consistency and leadership. In 56 ODIs, he led India to 42 wins with a phenomenal 76% winning rate. From reaching the 2023 ODI World Cup final to finally conquering ICC glory in back-to-back tournaments, Rohit Sharma’s captaincy era will be remembered as one of India’s finest.
Out of 26 ICC tournament matches, he lost only one — the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. His calm composure, sharp tactical brain, and trust in players turned India into a force to be reckoned with.
Truly, the end of an era.
Shubman Gill Steps In As New ODI Captain
At just 26, Shubman Gill has been one of the most promising names in world cricket. Known for his elegant stroke play and consistency at the top order, Gill now faces the biggest challenge of his career — leading India’s ODI side against Australia.
While he doesn’t carry extensive captaincy experience, his brief record in List A cricket is impressive. He has captained six times, winning five of those matches.
Shubman Gill’s promotion as captain also reflects the selectors’ long-term planning with the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight. Joining him will be Shreyas Iyer as the vice-captain — a dependable middle-order batter known for his maturity and composure.
Two New Faces Earn ODI Call-Up
The Indian squad for the Australia series also features two new ODI debutants — wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Both have been impressive in domestic cricket and the IPL, earning their well-deserved maiden call-ups.
Their inclusion shows India’s intent to build a strong bench strength, focusing on developing the next generation of match-winners.
Ajit Agarkar Explains The Tough Call
During the press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that replacing Rohit Sharma wasn’t an easy decision.
“Even if he had not won the Champions Trophy, it would still have been a difficult call,” Agarkar said. “But sometimes you have to look forward — where the team stands and what’s in its best interest. It’s a tough call, but one made with the future in mind.”
He also added, “Obviously, the change comes with the thought of 2027 in mind, but we don’t need to discuss that yet.”
Full Squad For India vs Australia ODI And T20I Series
The BCCI has revealed the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia series, led by Shubman Gill in ODIs and Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain.
India’s ODI squad:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal
India’s T20I Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar
Injury Updates: Pant And Hardik Still Recovering
Fans were eager to see Rishabh Pant back in action, but the star wicketkeeper-batter continues his recovery process and is expected to return for the home Test series against South Africa next month.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya remains unavailable as he’s still recovering from the injury he sustained during the Asia Cup 2025.
Final Thoughts
The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as captain signals the beginning of a new phase for Indian cricket. While Rohit Sharma’s contributions will remain unforgettable, Gill’s leadership will be closely watched as India prepares for its next big challenge — shaping the future of its white-ball dominance.
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