「シャブマン・ギルの何がそんなに致命的ですか？」 – 元インド監督、「不当な」副キャプテン選出について語る

Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth questioned the decision to name Shubman Gill as vice-captain for ICC Champions Trophy and IND vs ENG ODI series. The ex-India opener, who has been a vocal critic of the young batter, lashed out at the BCCI for backing Gill over other deserving players like Sanju Samson. The Punjab batter was named Rohit Sharma’s deputy in 2024 when India toured Sri Lanka after their T20 World Cup triumph and it looks like the selectors have decided to stick with the same combo for CT 2025.

Srikkanth questions decision to make Shubman Gill vice-captain

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth claimed that Gill had done nothing outstanding in the last one year to be named vice-captain. He cited the batter’s scores from his last 10 ODI innings to point out that there was nothing deadly about Gill to be named vice-captain to Rohit Sharma. Further, Srikkanth questioned the board’s decision to back Gill despite his lean form while pointing out that players like Sanju Samson, Sai Sudharsan did not recieve the same treatment.

“They suddenly named Gill as vice-captain. He has done nothing great in the last one year. Take a look at his last ten ODI innings. There is nothing deadly about him. What is so deadly about Gill to be vice-captain? I’m surprised,” Srikkanth said.

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Cheif selector Ajit Agarkar explained the rationale behind picking Gill as vice-captain. While he pointed out that the batter was Rohit’s deputy in India’s last ODI series, he claimed that the decision stemmed from the feedback recieved from the dressing room. He said that there were very few players in the side who could lead the team and that the ones who were selected for leadership roles were being groomed for the future.

With both Gill and Jaiswal name in CT 2025 squad, it remains to be seen who would open the innings for India along with Rohit. Will India go with a left-right opening combination in the form of Jaiswal or will the team stick with Gill as the opener? This remains to be seen and one could probably get a clear picture in the IND vs ENG ODI series that preceeds the Champions Trophy.