- By Namrata Vijay
- Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs AUS: India's star all-rounder Axar Patel has revealed that the three-match ODI series against Australia will give a perfect chance for Shubman Gill to grow as a skipper since ex-captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are still part of the ODI team. It will be the first time in this series that, after winning the ICC Champions Trophy, Kohli and Rohit will be playing for India, and that too under a new skipper, Shubman Gill.
Gill has become India's new ODI skipper before this series, as the selectors removed Rohit, even though he has had vast experience and has been successful leading the team in this format.
In the pre-match press conference before the series opener, Axar Patel said, “If that happens—a perfect start in ODIs like England—that’s a perfect start for Shubman Gill as captain. He is not being pressured after taking up the role as captain. That’s a good quality. I played with other captains. Now, the younger players are coming. This is a transition period. We are sharing knowledge with the youngsters. We are talking about the style of play. The youngsters, because they are playing in the IPL, are ready to go straightaway.”
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After MS Dhoni had become the skipper, players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were still five years away from retiring. His leadership was different from Kohli's, and there was no doubt that Kohli's captaincy gained a lot when Dhoni was still a part of the team. At the same time, Gill too will find the support from both Kohli and Rohit.
“That's a great example for Shubman. I think both Rohit and Virat are there. We are seeing the transition happening. And it’s good that the seniors are with the youngsters at this phase. The youngsters will know how to handle situations. The discussions in the dressing room are always about what to do and what not to do on the field. It’s a perfect situation for Shubman Gill because he has both Rohit and Virat in the dressing room. For him to grow as a captain, this is a great opportunity. It’s a perfect mix of youngsters and seniors, and we will surely gel well,” he added.
As far as Gill is concerned, the biggest challenge he will face is to build his image as a captain on his own while also getting help from Kohli and Rohit. There has been a trend that the transition in Indian cricket has been most successful when new skippers try to find a balance between authority and guidance of senior players.
Gill will also have a hard time in this role. Since the T20 World Cup is just a few months away and the IPL thereafter, and a hectic schedule before the 2027 World Cup, the Men in Blue will be playing fewer ODIs. In such a situation, a captain has to create a roadmap, change his captaincy style, and be able to manage senior players like Rohit and Virat.