Table of Contents
Rohit Sharma has been one of India’s most successful captains, leading the team to several major triumphs, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Under his leadership, India has witnessed dominance across all formats, with a blend of experienced stars and young talents emerging on the international stage.
However, with Rohit now in the latter stages of his career, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will need to identify a suitable successor who can carry forward his legacy. While Rohit continues to lead India in crucial assignments, the selectors must consider a long-term captaincy plan as they prepare for a transition period.
Shubman Gill – The ideal successor?
Among the names in contention, Shubman Gill appears to be the frontrunner for India’s next captaincy role. The young batter has already been entrusted with leadership responsibilities, as he was named India’s vice-captain for the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025. India, under Rohit’s leadership, lifted the prestigious title, further cementing Gill’s reputation as a key figure in the team’s future plans.
Gill’s consistency with the bat, combined with his calm and composed nature on the field, makes him an ideal candidate. He has gained significant experience leading Gujarat Titans in the IPL and has shown maturity in handling pressure situations. Many believe that once Rohit steps down, Gill is the most likely choice to take over the reins.
Sunil Narine picks his India captain
However, West Indies’ cricketing star Sunil Narine has suggested a different name for the role of India’s future captain. Speaking on the Radio Ka Rohan YouTube channel, Narine acknowledged the vast pool of young talent in Indian cricket, making it difficult to choose just one leader. Despite this, he believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be a strong contender to replace Rohit Sharma in the future.
“It is a huge challenge, but I think there are so many young talents in Indian cricket that it will be difficult to pick one. Batting in general in India is incredible. When it comes to talent in India, I think Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of them, but he is still young. India has so much that it is difficult to pick one,” said Narine.
Jaiswal has been one of India’s most exciting young prospects, showcasing his aggressive batting style in both international cricket and the IPL. His fearless approach, coupled with his ability to play long innings, makes him a strong leader for the future.
Also READ: Actress Avneet Kaur gets trolled for her Instagram post amidst Shubman Gill dating rumours
Narine explains why Jasprit Bumrah cannot be a long-term choice
While India have also experimented with Jasprit Bumrah in leadership roles, Narine pointed out why the fast bowler might not be a viable long-term captaincy option.
“To be honest, I think that now Bumrah is also in the phase of captaincy, but Bumrah cannot play continuously. In such a situation, Jaiswal can also be a right option who can replace Rohit,” Narine explained.
Bumrah has been an exceptional leader when given the opportunity, most notably captaining India in Test matches when regular skippers were unavailable. However, given the workload management concerns surrounding fast bowlers, expecting him to take up full-time captaincy could be a challenge.
