Follow UsShubman Gill returned to India’s T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, and this time around, was named as the vice-captain. It was Gill’s first-ever call-up in the format since June 2024, when he played against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
However, Gill’s return meant Axar Patel lost his place as India’s vice-captain. Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra added to that, stating that it is a ‘little unfair’ to the Delhi Capitals’ captain, after his time as India’s vice-captain.
“I also feel that it was a little unfair to Axar that he is suddenly not the vice-captain any more. But that’s my opinion. Team looks fine though,” Chopra said on Hotstar’s show for the Asia Cup 2025.
Chopra also added that Gill being made the vice-captain means that the selectors are looking at him as an all-format captain in the future.
“Shubman Gill is the new vice-captain for India’s T20I team. What does it mean? It means that India is heading towards him being the all-format captain. He is the Test captain, will eventually be the ODI captain and if he is the vice-captain of the T20I side, that means a future captain is being prepared,” Chopra said.
But the biggest dilemma for India lies there, as Gill is being made vice-captain, which means he’s assured a place in the starting 11. Will it come at the expense of Sanju Samson?
“If he’s he vice-captain, he’ll play. He’s also likely to open. And if he opens, who will miss out? Sanju Samson might miss out on his place in the playing XI. This is the reason Jitesh Sharma’s name is in the team. Because you need a middle-order keeper-batter. So Jitesh has been rewarded for his wonderful performance in the IPL for RCB,” he said.