'He was on our radar': BCCI decided to replace Rohit with Gill in 2023 itself

The BCCI’s long-term leadership plans are slowly falling into place, and Shubman Gill now sits at the centre of it. With Gill recently appointed India’s T20I vice-captain, his elevation as the country’s all-format skipper is viewed as a matter of when, not if. Already leading the Test and ODI sides, Gill is expected to take over the T20I captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav after next year’s T20 World Cup, aligning with the board’s long-standing preference for a single captain across formats — a model followed by teams like Australia and England. India’s approach to captaincy stability has often been clear. When

Rohit Sharma

succeeded Virat Kohli as captain, his age meant his tenure would not be a long-term one. But Gill, still in his twenties and already a proven leader, fits the bill for a sustained run. His first Test series as captain showcased exactly why: he guided India to a 2-2 draw in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy and stood tall in tough conditions.

What may surprise many, though, is that Gill’s rise to the role was planned years ago.

Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola revealed that as early as 2023, the board had identified Gill as a future captaincy option. That was the year Gill exploded into world cricket, reeling off centuries and double hundreds with ease, and despite missing two World Cup matches due to dengue, piling up more than 350 runs in nine outings. According to Ankola, the selectors, senior players and team management all believed Gill would eventually take charge once Rohit stepped aside.

“We always knew Gill would lead India one day. He was on our radar for the captaincy back in 2023,” Ankola said on Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube channel. “Everyone — from the coach and captain to former players — felt he was the right choice.” Once Rohit retired from Test cricket, the succession became straightforward. Gill not only took the role but excelled immediately, hammering 756 runs in England at an average of 75.40 and registering four centuries in one of the finest overseas tours by an Indian captain in years.

India’s struggles in the home series against South Africa during his absence further underlined how crucial he has already become — both as a run-getter and a leader. Ankola said Gill’s performance under pressure speaks volumes. “If someone can score 750 runs in England in those conditions, that tells you all you need to know about their mental strength,” he added. He also noted that public criticism is inevitable, no matter who is chosen. “People always think they know more. Even if you do great things, they will find faults.” With Gill’s trajectory continuing upward, Indian cricket now appears to have its next long-term leader firmly in place — one the selectors had earmarked long before the rest of the world noticed.