News
3 Players Who Can Be India's Next ODI & T20I Captain
Follow UsHere are three players who could be next in line for India’s white-ball captaincy
India currently have three different captains for three different formats. Shubman Gill has taken over the Test reins from Rohit Sharma, who has hung up his boots in red-ball cricket and T20Is but still has his eyes set on leading India at the 2027 ODI World Cup. For now, Rohit continues as India’s ODI skipper, while Suryakumar Yadav commands the T20I side.
Gill is only 25, so barring anything dramatic, it’s going to be a long time before India start thinking about their next Test captain. However, Rohit (38) and Suryakumar (35) are both in the second half of their 30s, and the search for a new white-ball leader could begin sooner rather than later.
Here are three players who could be next in line for India’s white-ball captaincy.
Shubman Gill
The most obvious and perhaps most likely choice. Historically, India have preferred a single leader across formats, and there are already whispers that Gill will eventually inherit the ODI and T20I captaincy. He made a dream start as Test captain in England, leading from the front with the bat, scoring 754 runs at a stunning average of 75.40.
Since his ODI debut, Gill has been a run machine, piling up 2775 runs at an average of almost 60. While he was dropped from the T20I side, a strong IPL 2025 season with Gujarat Titans (GT) has put him back in contention, even sparking talk of him being named T20I vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025. Once Rohit and SKY step away, Gill appears the natural successor.
Shreyas Iyer
The Mumbai batter has staged a remarkable turnaround in the last two years. After guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL 2024 title, Iyer almost pulled off a repeat in 2025, taking Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the final before losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). With more captaincy experience than Gill, he ticks many of the boxes for a future India skipper.
Iyer oozes leadership. The extra responsibility seems to lift his game, as shown in IPL 2025 where he hammered 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07. Already a proven performer in ODIs, a successful comeback in the T20I format - potentially starting with the Asia Cup - could push him right into the captaincy conversation.
Axar Patel
The dark horse. Axar was India’s vice-captain in their last T20I series against England earlier this year and led Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025, narrowly missing the playoffs. At 31, he’s a senior figure in the dressing room and a mainstay in both ODI and T20I squads.
Axar was a key contributor in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy triumphs. While the chances of him taking the top job are slim compared to Gill or Iyer, cricket has a way of springing surprises.