Monty Panesar: Shubman Gill Could Lead India in T20Is After ODI Captaincy

Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes India`s decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the ODI captain is a masterstroke. He is convinced that the 26-year-old Gill is a “natural leader” who performs best when entrusted with responsibility. On Saturday, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that he had personally informed Rohit Sharma of the management`s decision to relieve him of the ODI captaincy. Gill was announced as Rohit`s successor, and his first challenge will be the three ODI matches in Australia, scheduled to begin on October 19.

Agarkar`s announcement caught many by surprise, leading to divided opinions among fans and former cricketers. Panesar welcomed the decision, believing that the added leadership responsibility will allow Gill to fully unleash his potential, possibly leading to his finest ODI series yet.

Panesar`s Perspective on Gill`s Leadership

“I think it`s a great decision because he has really performed well. By making him captain while Rohit Sharma is still around, Rohit can help and guide Gill during the series. It`s a very good move. We`ve seen he is a natural leader, as we observed in England,” Panesar told ANI.

“When you give him responsibility, you see the best version of Shubman Gill. I believe we will see his best performance in the ODI series. I wouldn`t be surprised if they offer him the T20I captaincy, because in my opinion, he is the kind of player who thrives when given responsibility,” the former England spinner concluded.

Gill`s Ambition: The 2027 World Cup Goal

Having assumed the ODI captaincy, Gill has set his sights on the 2027 World Cup. With India expected to play around 20 ODIs leading up to this major event, he intends to return home with the coveted trophy.

“It is the greatest honor to be able to lead your country in One-Day Internationals and to lead a side that has performed well. It`s an immense pride for me. I hope I will be able to achieve great things. I think we have about 20 ODIs before we play the World Cup, and obviously, the ultimate goal is the World Cup in South Africa,” Gill stated in a video published by the BCCI.

India ODI Squad for Upcoming Series