New Delhi, Oct 6: With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the mix, all eyes now turn to Australia as Team India prepares for the upcoming three-match ODI series under new captain Shubman Gill.
The series, starting on October 19, will mark the beginning of a new chapter for India’s 50-over side — one where the young Gill takes charge of a dressing room that still features two of Indian cricket’s biggest icons.
Former India batter Robin Uthappa is among those most curious to see how India shapes up under the new leadership. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said he is keen to witness the brand of cricket Gill will bring to the table, especially with Rohit stepping back into the role of a senior player rather than captain.
“It will be interesting to see what kind of approach he takes to ODI cricket right now,” Uthappa remarked. “What are the norms or standards that Shubman Gill sets for the ODI side? What brand of cricket do they want to play? I think there’ll be a slight adjustment, especially with Rohit at the top with Shubman. It gives Gill a chance to find himself as captain in this format.”
Uthappa, who has shared dressing rooms with both Kohli and Rohit during his career, also believes that the transition in leadership will be handled gracefully by the senior opener. He said Rohit’s maturity and understanding of the game make him the ideal mentor for Gill as India reshapes its white-ball roadmap.
“Gracefully, and I think he understands,” Uthappa said, speaking about Rohit’s reaction to the leadership change.
“If the conversations were had with him, it wouldn’t have happened without his consent. Now it’s about focusing on his role — maximizing his contribution with the bat because he doesn’t play all formats anymore.”
Uthappa further suggested that while Rohit should continue his aggressive approach, he needs to use his experience to manage innings with better tempo — something that proved costly in the 2023 World Cup final, where India fell to Australia despite his blistering start.
“I want him to use the ebb and flow of an ODI game,” Uthappa said.
“The value of Rohit Sharma is immense — you don’t want to lose him early when wickets are falling. He’s not a role player, he’s a match-winner.”
Rohit’s recent ODI record underlines that value. Since the 2023 World Cup, where he was India’s leading run-getter with 597 runs in 11 innings, Rohit has scored 459 runs in 11 ODIs at an average of 41.73, including a century and three fifties. His fearless starts have often set the tone for India’s dominance in the powerplay.
Meanwhile, former South Africa great AB de Villiers has also backed the BCCI’s decision to hand the ODI reins to Shubman Gill, calling it a “forward-looking move” with the 2027 World Cup in mind. De Villiers pointed out that, with uncertainty surrounding the participation of both Rohit and Kohli in the next global event, this was the right time to groom Gill for leadership.
“It’s not guaranteed that both of them will be there for the next World Cup,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel. “That could be part of the reason behind making Shubman Gill the ODI captain. He’s in excellent form, a young talent, and a great leader. Having Rohit and Virat around him will be invaluable — they’ll guide him through the early stages of his captaincy.”
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar echoed that sentiment during the squad announcement on October 4, saying the leadership change was made to give Gill “enough time to build his team and vision for 2027.”
For context, Rohit Sharma leaves behind an outstanding ODI captaincy record — 42 wins in 56 matches with a remarkable 75% success rate. Under his leadership, India reached the 2023 World Cup final and lifted the 2025 Champions Trophy, solidifying his legacy as one of India’s most successful white-ball leaders.
As India now heads Down Under, the blend of experience and youth could be the defining feature of this transition. Rohit and Kohli’s return adds immense depth and authority to the batting order, while Gill’s fresh approach and calm leadership could inject new energy into the side.
The biggest question, however, remains: Will India’s aggression under Rohit and Kohli’s influence continue under Gill’s stewardship, or will the team evolve into something new — more balanced, more measured, yet equally dominant?
The answers will unfold soon in Australia — a land where India’s cricketing resolve is always tested, and where the new era of Indian ODI cricket will officially begin. (Agencies)
