Shubman Gill Takes ODI Captaincy as Harbhajan Singh Shares Hopes

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed optimism about the new One Day International (ODI) captain, Shubman Gill, upholding the legacy established by Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and other past leaders in the format. This announcement follows the decision by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, who informed Sharma of the management’s choice to transition the captaincy to Gill.

Gill’s first series as captain will commence in Australia, where the team is set to compete in a three-match ODI series starting on October 19, 2023, at the Optus Stadium in Perth. At just 26 years old, Gill is already making significant strides in his career, having recently led the Indian team in Test matches, especially during their tour of England.

In that series, he emerged as the highest run-scorer with 754 runs, playing a pivotal role in securing a balanced outcome of 2-2 in the five-match series. With such accomplishments, expectations for Gill are high as he takes on this new challenge in ODIs.

Harbhajan, in a personal video message, congratulated Gill on his appointment, reflecting on the pride associated with having a captain from Punjab. He articulated his hopes that Gill would mirror his success in Test cricket while managing the legacy of his predecessors in ODIs.

“This is a proud moment for Punjab. I hope he carries forward the legacy of Virat, Rohit, and other captains in ODIs. There are high expectations from him, especially in Australia,” Harbhajan stated.

As Gill prepares for his inaugural series, he acknowledged the significance of his role. “It is the biggest honour to lead your country. I hope to do great,” he said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Gill noted that India is expected to play around 20 ODIs leading up to the World Cup, with the ultimate goal being to lift the trophy in South Africa.

With a clear vision, Gill emphasized the importance of preparation in the upcoming matches to ensure the team’s success. “We aim to have a great season before heading to the World Cup, and I hope we are fully ready to win,” he concluded.

As the cricketing world looks forward to this new chapter for India, the spotlight will be on Gill as he steps into a role that carries the weight of expectation and the hopes of an entire nation.