Shubman Gill Must Replace Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI Captain, Says Daryl Cullinan
Quick Summary
- Ex-South African star Daryl Cullinan backs Shubman Gill as India’s next ODI captain.
- Cullinan says Gill should lead even if Rohit Sharma is still in the XI.
- Speculation continues around the ODI futures of Rohit & Virat Kohli, with 2027 World Cup in Africa looming.
- Cullinan insists senior players must play “serious cricket” to remain relevant.
With nearly two years still left for the next ODI World Cup, the captaincy debate has already taken centre stage in Indian cricket. Former South African batter Daryl Cullinan has now thrown his weight behind Shubman Gill, insisting that the 25-year-old opener must be given the captaincy of India’s ODI side — even if Rohit Sharma continues to feature in the playing XI.
The timing of Cullinan’s remarks is significant. Both Rohit and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket earlier this year within days of each other, and had already announced their T20I retirements after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Now, with the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa drawing closer, their futures in the 50-over format remain under the scanner.
“Yes, Gill for captaincy, irrespective of whether Rohit is playing,” Cullinan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Reports suggest that India’s team management may not include Rohit and Kohli in long-term ODI plans. The duo are still slated to be part of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia in October, where three ODIs and five T20Is are lined up. If rumours are to be believed, that series could be the farewell chapter for the legendary duo in ODIs.
Cullinan, however, feels that from a pure cricketing ability and experience perspective, both Rohit and Kohli could still contribute. But he warned that unless they remain regularly active in international cricket, it will be difficult for them to deliver at the highest level.
“Well, I think from an ability and experience point of view, they (Rohit and Kohli) could play, I don’t think there’s any doubt in that, but they’d have to be on the ground of international cricket,” he said.
The South African great emphasized the need for full-time involvement. “If I were the coach or convener of selectors, because no matter how good you are, thinking that you can just play a few games or select a few games, not put in the hours and then step in and think you’re going to perform, no, that doesn’t work that way.”
Cullinan further explained that for any player to succeed at a World Cup, they must be in peak physical shape and mentally attuned through consistent cricket. “I’m not saying they need to be on the circuit all the time, but they need to have played a serious amount of cricket, especially going into the World Cup,” he added.
The call for Gill’s captaincy highlights India’s growing transition phase. With stalwarts nearing the twilight of their careers, voices like Cullinan’s add fuel to the speculation that Gill could soon be handed the baton to lead India into a new era of ODI dominance.
