Former national selectors Salil Ankola and Subroto Banerjee reckon that it will be a huge advantage for Team India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill to be groomed as a leader under the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the three-match ODI series Down Under, starting at Perth on October 19.
“We have already invested in him [Gill] as a Test captain and he has proved [his ability] in England. Today [Saturday] also we have won quite convincingly [beating West Indies in the first Test at Ahmedabad], so this [ODI captaincy] is a good move as he is leading the team well,” Ankola told Sunday mid-day.
“Now, for whatever time that we have Rohit and Virat with us, we can groom him [Gill] also [as an ODI skipper]. From having played under the captaincy of Rohit or Virat to now being their captain and they now helping him take decisions can only be a good thing. This is absolutely the right way to groom Shubman. It will be advantageous to be groomed under Virat and Rohit,” added Ankola.
Moments after Gill led India to an innings and 140 runs win inside three days against West Indies in the first Test at Ahmedabad, national chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced a 15-member squad for the ODI series against Australia. The squad includes Rohit and Kohli while another Mumbai batter Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain.
Banerjee, who was a national selector till recently, echoed Ankola’s feelings.
“It’s the best decision this selection committee has taken. They [selectors] must have thought about the future and done this [named Gill as ODI captain]. Also, I believe Rohit and Virat are very good players and will do well [in Australia]. They have vast experience. I’m sure they must have worked really hard even if they have not played any matches recently. They must have practiced and prepared hard. Also, they have experience on their side. It’s good to see both of them [in the Indian team],” said Banerjee.
Gill has been appointed vice-captain to the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian T20I team that will play a five-match T20I series against Australia, starting on October 29 at Canberra.