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Shubman Gill, one of India’s most prolific young batters, is emerging as a strong candidate for a leadership role in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. After proving his mettle as a Test captain and producing remarkable performances in England earlier this year, the selectors are now considering Shubman Gill not only for his batting skills but also as a future leader who could eventually take over the reins in the shortest format. His likely appointment as vice-captain marks a significant moment in India’s cricket leadership planning, especially with the current captain Suryakumar Yadav performing well but the selectors keen to ensure a smooth transition.

Shubman Gill’s Path to Leadership and the Selectors’ Changing Stance

Shubman Gill’s absence from India’s T20I side in recent months has been conspicuous. Since India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies in June 2024, the selectors have not named a full-strength T20I squad for any series. Shubman Gill, who was not part of the victorious World Cup side, was instead given the responsibility to lead a young Indian team on a tour of Zimbabwe immediately after the World Cup. In that series, he showcased his leadership qualities and strategic acumen, guiding a relatively inexperienced team with confidence. Earlier in 2024, Shubman Gill had also served as vice-captain during the T20I series against Sri Lanka. However, as India’s cricket calendar grew more demanding—particularly in Test cricket—the selectors decided to rest him from the shortest format to manage his workload.

This decision meant Shubman Gill missed T20I assignments against Bangladesh at home, South Africa away, and England at home. During his absence, the opening slots in India’s T20I setup saw remarkable performances from players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, both of whom scored quick-fire centuries. While their form created healthy competition at the top of the order, it also presented the selectors with a leadership puzzle—how to balance emerging talent with the need for a proven leader ahead of a major multi-nation tournament like the Asia Cup. The tipping point in Shubman Gill’s case came after his captaincy in the high-pressure five-match Test series in England, where he led a relatively young side with composure. Shubman Gill not only managed the tactical aspects of the series well but also contributed heavily with the bat, amassing 754 runs across the five Tests. Such performances have made it nearly impossible for the selectors to keep him out of any format for long. According to a Times of India report, there is now strong backing within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection panel to move towards a “one captain for all formats” approach. Although Suryakumar Yadav has done nothing wrong as T20I skipper, the selectors believe Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the leadership group is inevitable, and the Asia Cup is the perfect tournament to make that transition official. His likely role? Vice-captain of the T20I side—effectively placing him as the next in line for the top job.

The Messaging Behind Grooming Shubman Gill and the Broader Leadership Vision

One of the key reasons for considering Shubman Gill for a T20I leadership role is the clarity it provides in long-term planning. “The messaging has to be clear about who takes over after Suryakumar Yadav,” a former India selector told TOI. “Unlike other countries, split captaincy doesn’t work in India in the long run because you crave stability in the thought process. When you have a prolific all-format player leading in one format, it becomes difficult not to hand him the same responsibility in the other format.” Shubman Gill’s appeal as a leader goes beyond his on-field skills. In modern cricket, leadership in India often involves catering to market forces, fan engagement, and brand value—all of which Shubman Gill currently possesses in abundance. His calm demeanour, combined with the ability to handle media scrutiny and public expectations, makes him a strong ambassador for Indian cricket. Former India selector Devang Gandhi believes Shubman Gill has “ticked all the boxes” as a batter and leader.

“There’s no reason why Shubman Gill should not get a leadership role in T20. He has already led in the IPL, which is a high-pressure environment similar to international cricket. The Asia Cup, played in the UAE with its challenging conditions, could be the ideal stage to test his tactical adaptability in T20s,” Gandhi explained. Former wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that Shubman Gill is being groomed for an all-format captaincy role. While acknowledging Sanju Samson’s success in some T20I matches, Dasgupta stressed that Shubman Gill’s ability to anchor innings in high-pressure situations—akin to Virat Kohli—would be vital on slower UAE pitches. “If the selectors are planning beyond the Asia Cup and looking at a long-term leader, Shubman Gill is the right choice,” he said. The selectors, led by chief Ajit Agarkar, are believed to be planning not just for the Asia Cup but also for future ICC tournaments. This means identifying players who can handle leadership responsibilities consistently across formats, a task for which Shubman Gill fits the bill perfectly. Another point of debate within the selection committee is whether players like Axar Patel, who have been consistent in limited-overs cricket, rank above Shubman Gill in the leadership pecking order. However, the growing consensus is that Shubman Gill’s potential as a leader outweighs such considerations.

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