Is It Possible to Have Three Captains for Three Formats? Agarkar Weighs In on Gill's ODI Captaincy
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Synopsis
Ajit Agarkar, India's chief selector, highlights the challenges of having multiple captains in cricket formats while discussing Shubman Gill's appointment as ODI captain. As the team prepares for the upcoming series against Australia, Agarkar emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and the potential for Gill to excel in his new role. Can Gill manage the pressure and lead effectively?
Key Takeaways
- Ajit Agarkar believes having three captains across formats is impractical.
- Shubman Gill has been appointed as the ODI captain.
- India's upcoming tour of Australia begins on October 19.
- The focus remains on strategic planning for upcoming tournaments.
- Concerns about burnout for Gill are being addressed by team management.
Ahmedabad, Oct 4 (NationPress) India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that having three distinct captains for different formats is virtually unfeasible, which led to Shubman Gill taking over from Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain.
The selection committee, led by Agarkar, announced India’s squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia, appointing Gill as the ODI captain while retaining Rohit and Virat Kohli in the team.
Previously, the Indian cricket team had three separate leaders for each format: Rohit for ODIs, Gill for Tests, and Suryakumar Yadav for T20Is.
Now, Gill will take on the captaincy in both ODIs and Tests after succeeding Rohit. When asked about the 26-year-old's white-ball leadership, Agarkar commented during a press briefing:
“It’s virtually impossible to manage three different captains for three formats in terms of planning. You’ve got to start planning early. The number of games is limited, and we’re two years away from a major tournament. It does create challenges for one-day cricket. Our focus is currently on the T20 World Cup, and we will begin preparations for the ODI World Cup. This approach gives the next captain ample time.”
With Gill now overseeing two formats and also serving as Suryakumar’s deputy in T20Is, he is expected to participate in all upcoming matches. Addressing concerns about potential burnout, Agarkar remarked:
“We hope that won’t happen. He’s still quite young. His performance under pressure in England was encouraging. We’re optimistic about avoiding burnout. The management is committed to ensuring he has adequate rest.”
“He’s been the vice-captain in the ODI format for some time now. This is how the process unfolds. What he demonstrated in England was very promising, and we remain hopeful.”
India’s tour of Australia is set to kick off on October 19 with three ODIs, followed by a five-match T20I series starting on October 29 and wrapping up on November 8.
India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India’s T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (VC), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, and Washington Sundar.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize that Ajit Agarkar's insights reflect the challenges faced by the Indian cricket team in maintaining consistency across formats. The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the ODI captain underscores a strategic shift, aiming for a cohesive leadership structure in a competitive environment. This approach may enhance the team's performance and foster a new generation of leadership.
NationPress
04/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Shubman Gill been appointed as ODI captain?
Shubman Gill was appointed as ODI captain due to the strategic decision to consolidate leadership across formats, as highlighted by Ajit Agarkar. This move aims to enhance planning and performance consistency.
What are the upcoming matches for the Indian cricket team?
India's tour of Australia begins on October 19 with three ODIs, followed by a five-match T20I series starting October 29.
How does Agarkar view the captaincy structure?
Agarkar believes it is 'practically impossible' to have three different captains across formats, emphasizing the need for better planning and management.
Is there concern about Gill’s potential burnout?
Agarkar expressed optimism about avoiding burnout, noting Gill’s youth and previous performance under pressure as positive signs.
Who are the key players in the ODI squad?
Key players in the ODI squad include Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, with Gill serving as captain.
