After India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, attention has turned to the team’s future with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20Is. As India gears up for a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Shubman Gill has been appointed as captain for this series. However, questions remain about whether he will remain in the role once the World Cup-winning squad returns.
Former BCCI selector Saba Karim shared his views in an interview with SportsNow, stating that while Shubman Gill has potential, it is premature to determine who will be the permanent T20I captain. Karim emphasized that Hardik Pandya, as the current vice-captain, is a likely candidate for the captaincy given Rohit Sharma’s departure.
“Potential yes but at this stage I think it’s very early for the selectors to actually decide who can be the captain in the years to come. There are a number of aspirants, Hardik Pandya right now is the vice-captain and I think with Rohit’s departure, it is more obvious that Pandya will take up the reins.”
Karim acknowledged Gill’s abilities, noting, “The Indian selectors have always seen Shubman Gill as a player for all formats and believe he has the leadership qualities to lead the team forward. This series against Zimbabwe will be a significant opportunity for Gill not only as a batter but also as a captain.”
Gill, who was left out of the T20 World Cup squad and named as a reserve, will be keen to demonstrate his value as an all-format player during this series. Karim also mentioned that there are several players vying for positions in the team, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhishek Sharma. He suggested that these players could be future candidates for key roles in the team.
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