Overview:
With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin retired, and Jasprit Bumrah available for only three matches, India had a young group with very little experience in English conditions. It was far from an ideal debut assignment for Gill, the captain.
The 2025 Anderson Tendulkar Trophy will be remembered for India’s comeback, grit, and the quiet emergence of a new leader. That leader was Shubman Gill. For the first time in his career, the 25-year-old walked out not just as India’s number three batter but also as captain of the Test team. With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin retired, and Jasprit Bumrah available for only three matches, India had a young group with very little experience in English conditions. It was far from an ideal debut assignment for Gill, the captain.
Yet, India drew the series 2-2 after being 1-2 down. That included a six-run win in the final Test at The Oval, a result that came after India lost their frontline bowlers and had to rely on fresh names. Gill showed calmness, trusted the younger players, and backed a plan that worked under extreme pressure. It was a coming-of-age tour for him as a leader.
Right now, India’s white ball leadership is divided. Rohit Sharma, at 38, leads the ODI side and recently captained India to back to back global trophies, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Suryakumar Yadav, 35, is the T20 captain. He has built a fearless unit that dominated the format in the last two years.
Gill is just 25. He represents the next generation of Indian cricket. But at the same time, his future role is unclear. With two white ball World Cups coming up, the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the 50-over World Cup in 2027, India are walking a fine line. If Rohit and Kohli continue till the next ODI World Cup, it leaves no clear space for younger batters or leaders to step in. Names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer are already feeling the squeeze.
Which brings us to the big question; Should India hand over the all format captaincy to Shubman Gill now?
Why Gill Deserves Consideration
Gill is already seen as the future of Indian cricket. He has shown maturity in every format. His technical strength and ability to anchor or accelerate as per the game’s need make him the most flexible batter in the Indian lineup. But beyond batting, what stood out in 2025 was his ability to make good decisions under pressure.
In the Test series against England, India were often in difficult positions. Injuries, collapses, and unfamiliar players created tough scenarios. But Gill never looked out of control. He used his bowlers smartly, rotated the field well, and communicated with calm authority. India’s 2-2 result could have easily been a 1-3 loss, but Gill’s leadership helped the team believe in itself.
Gill also comes across as someone who brings balance. He is serious without being too aggressive. He is analytical without being over defensive. That quality can be crucial in modern cricket where managing egos, formats and expectations is just as important as winning tosses and setting fields.
His IPL Journey as Captain
In the IPL, Gill took charge of Gujarat Titans after Hardik Pandya left the team. In 2024, GT finished with just five wins in fourteen matches. It was a tough year filled with changes in the squad and imbalance in the playing eleven. But Gill remained composed and stuck with the team. In 2025, he led them to the eliminators. That improvement speaks of a captain learning from failure, not crumbling under it.
He may not have won a title, but he has shown the ability to build a team, stick to a vision and grow season by season. That kind of journey is what India will want in an all format captain.
What About T20Is and ODIs?
In T20Is, India have found a beast of a team. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the team won the 2024 World Cup and have continued playing with flair and fearlessness when SKY took over the reins. SKY’s leadership has been bold and tactically sound. But age is not on his side. At 34, with the next T20 World Cup a year away, India might have to consider who takes over after him.
This is where Gill could be slowly groomed. The vice captaincy could be handed to him soon, letting him shadow SKY and prepare for a natural transition. However, this could create some difficult selection calls. If Gill becomes vice captain, it could come at the cost of one of Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson. The Indian team management will need to find the right balance between form, leadership and squad depth.
In ODIs, Rohit Sharma’s legacy is now complete. A World Cup finalist in 2023, followed by wins in the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, he is arguably India’s most successful limited overs captain. But he will be 40 by the time the 2027 World Cup arrives. India cannot wait till the last moment to find his successor.
Gill is already part of the ODI setup. Handing him the ODI captaincy now or after the 2026 T20 World Cup gives him time to shape a unit that peaks in 2027. This will also give players like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma and Sai Sudharsan the space to become long term players under one leader.
Doing Justice to Gill’s Rise
One of the biggest risks India face is ignoring Gill’s leadership just because Rohit and Kohli are still around. While it is impossible to look beyond these two legends, it is also unfair to keep the next generation waiting for too long. If Gill continues to lead only in Tests while not being a part of decision making in white ball formats, his development as a complete leader could stall.
Also, keeping him out of white ball captaincy decisions might create a gap in communication and vision when the baton eventually passes on. Giving him more responsibility now ensures a smoother handover later.
India have already seen how hard it is to replace legends. By preparing early, they avoid the shock of sudden transitions. With Gill already showing leadership potential, it would be wise to let him grow across formats, even if it means giving up one spot in the batting order for the larger benefit of the team.
Final Verdict: Yes
Yes, Shubman Gill should be groomed as India’s all format captain.
Not immediately. But the transition should begin now. Give him more responsibility. Let him be vice captain in white ball formats. Let him lead when the seniors rest. Give him time to build bonds, learn player management and develop his game sense further.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup coming up, India need a younger leader who understands modern cricket but also carries the weight of expectations without panic. Gill fits that description better than anyone else.
The future is knocking. India would do well to answer now, rather than wait until it is too late.