“It’s a big responsibility and an even bigger honour” – Shubman Gill On ODI Leadership

India’s newly appointed ODI captain, Shubman Gill, expressed deep admiration for Rohit Sharma after officially taking over the 50-over captaincy from the veteran. Speaking to the media ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi, Gill shared his thoughts on the major leadership transition. The young star revealed that he was informed about the decision slightly before it became public.

“It was announced in the middle of the Test match, but I got to know a little before that. Obviously, it’s a big responsibility and an even bigger honour. I’m very excited to lead my country in that format. And yes, the last few months have been very exciting for me,” said Gill. His appointment marks a generational shift in Indian cricket, as the talented opener now carries the responsibility of leading the side across formats.

Focused on the Future, Not the Past

Shubman Gill emphasised that his mindset remains rooted in the present, as he aims to focus on what lies ahead rather than dwell on past accomplishments. Having already begun his tenure as Test captain a few months earlier, Gill is determined to establish himself as a leader who delivers success across all formats.

“But I’m really looking forward to what the future holds. I want to stay as present as possible and don’t really want to look back on what I’ve been able to achieve or what we as a team have been able to achieve. I just want to look forward and win everything that we have in the upcoming months,” he remarked. His comments reflect a maturity beyond his years, showing that he understands the demands of the captaincy role and the expectations that come with it.

Learning Leadership Lessons from Rohit Sharma

Even though Rohit Sharma is no longer part of India’s leadership group in Tests and T20Is, Gill will have the senior opener by his side during the ODI tour of Australia. The young captain spoke highly of Rohit, acknowledging the influence the seasoned campaigner has had on his growth both as a player and as a leader.

“There are so many qualities that I inherited from Rohit Bhai; one is the calmness that he possesses, and the kind of friendship that he fosters among the group is something that I aspire to. And these are the qualities that I want to take from him,” Gill asserted. His respect for Rohit’s approach—marked by composure and team unity—highlights the continuity of leadership values even as India transitions to a new era under Shubman Gill.