The young opener, who now leads India in both Tests and ODIs, shared his thoughts during a media interaction ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi.
“Yes, it was announced in the middle of a Test match but I got to know a little before that,” Gill said. “It obviously is a big responsibility and an even bigger honour. So, very excited to lead my country in ODI format.”
For a 26-year-old to replace a modern-day great like Rohit Sharma—a T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy-winning skipper—is no small feat. Yet, Gill appears to be embracing the challenge, already showing signs of a long-term leader in the making.
The Rise of a New Leader
The past few months have been a whirlwind for Gill. From opening the batting to captaining India in Tests and now ODIs, his cricketing journey has been on a steep upward trajectory. However, the young skipper insists he is staying grounded.
“The last few months have been very exciting for me. But I’m really looking forward to what the future has. I want to stay as present as possible and don’t really want to look back on what I’ve been able to achieve or what we as a team have been able to achieve,” he said. “Just want to look forward and win everything that we have in the upcoming months.”
This focus and hunger set Gill apart, signaling a captain ready to carve his own path.
Carrying the Torch Forward
Taking over from a seasoned leader like Rohit Sharma is never easy, but Gill’s approach suggests he is undaunted by legacy. With his calm temperament and methodical mindset, India’s white-ball setup appears to be in safe hands.
With the upcoming ODI series against Australia, all eyes will be on how Gill marshals his team in his first major assignment as India’s full-time ODI captain.
