The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy has sparked debate among fans and cricket experts. While some questioned the move, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin defended the decision, emphasizing its forward-thinking approach.
Ashwin’s Perspective on Gill’s Appointment
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat, Ashwin explained that Gill’s consistent presence in the playing XI makes him a logical choice for the vice-captaincy role.
“I don’t want to get into whether the decision is right or wrong, but the reasoning behind it makes sense. Gill was vice-captain in the previous series and has occasionally held the position in Test matches as well, though I could be mistaken there. The player who is certain to feature in the XI has been given the role.”
Balancing Recent Form with Potential
Critics of the decision pointed to Gill’s underwhelming performance in the recent Test series against Australia. However, his record in ODIs tells a different story. Gill boasts an impressive average of 58.20 in 47 innings, with six centuries to his name. Even in Test cricket, he averaged 43.30 in 2024, a year where he consistently played in the top order.
Ashwin highlighted that the move is aimed at grooming a future leader.
“This decision is clearly taken with the future in mind. The selectors are considering who can lead the team in the years to come. Stability is crucial, and if Gill has to step in as captain, he will have experienced players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to lean on.”
Comparing Leadership Choices Across Formats
Ashwin also noted the challenges of selecting vice-captains across formats, particularly in T20s, where Axar Patel currently holds the position. He acknowledged the competition
