Shubman Gill has been named India’s new ODI captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma ahead of the three-match series in Australia beginning 19 October. Rohit and Virat Kohli, both recalled for the series, will feature in the squad as batters, marking their first international appearance since the 2025 Champions Trophy in March.

The selection panel, led by former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar, met on Saturday in Ahmedabad. Sources said the decision aimed to give Gill sufficient time to settle into leadership before the 2027 World Cup across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Agarkar reportedly coordinated the decision with head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.

At 26, Gill now holds formal leadership roles in all three formats, serving as Test and ODI captain, as well as T20I vice-captain. His debut series as Test captain saw India draw 2-2 in England, with Gill emerging as the highest run-scorer with 754 runs at an average of 75.40.

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Rohit, 38, served as India’s full-time ODI captain from December 2021. During his tenure, he led the side in 56 ODIs, winning 42, losing 12, with one tie and a no-result. Under his captaincy, India claimed the 2018 Asia Cup as stand-in captain and the 2023 Asia Cup as full-time skipper, and reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, culminating in a Champions Trophy victory.

The upcoming series will see Rohit and Kohli return to international cricket after more than seven months. India are scheduled to play three ODIs in Australia on 19, 23 and 25 October, followed by five T20Is from 29 October to 8 November. Their next fixtures after Australia are the three-ODI home series against South Africa in November-December and against New Zealand in January.

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra reacted to the appointment, saying: “Didn’t see Gill’s appointment coming this soon.”