Shubman Gill Was India’s Secret Captain Choice Since 2023, Reveals Ex-Selector
In a revelation that’s set the cricketing world abuzz, former BCCI national selector Salil Ankola has dropped a bombshell: Shubman Gill India captain wasn’t just a 2025 decision—it was a plan set in motion back in 2023. This insider confirmation sheds new light on Gill’s rapid ascent from a promising batter to the anointed heir to India’s leadership throne.
Table of Contents
- The Ankola Revelation: A Leadership Blueprint in 2023
- Gill’s Rapid Ascent to Power in 2025
- A Legacy of Leadership: From U-19 to Senior Team
- Why Gill? The Making of a Modern Captain
- The Road Ahead: Solo Captaincy in Sight?
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Ankola Revelation: A Leadership Blueprint in 2023
Speaking candidly, Salil Ankola, who served on the national selection panel from 2023-24, stated that Gill’s leadership credentials were a major topic of discussion among the selectors, the head coach, and even senior players right from the start of 2023 [[1], [4], [9]]. “We always knew he’d take the reins,” Ankola is quoted as saying. This wasn’t just idle speculation; it was a strategic consensus that Gill possessed the temperament, cricketing intelligence, and character to lead the Indian team into a new era.
This foresight is particularly striking because 2023 was the year Gill truly exploded onto the global scene, winning the IPL Orange Cap and making his T20I debut . The selectors weren’t just impressed by his batting; they were watching his conduct, his ability to handle pressure, and his interactions within the team environment. They saw a future captain, not just a future star.
Gill’s Rapid Ascent to Power in 2025
The plan Ankola described has unfolded with remarkable speed in 2025. Following the retirements of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket in May, the BCCI moved decisively, appointing Gill as the new Test captain for a landmark five-match series in England . His performance was nothing short of historic, amassing a record-breaking 754 runs in his debut series as captain .
Now, in December 2025, just ahead of a crucial T20I series against South Africa, Gill has been named the T20I vice-captain under Suryakumar Yadav . This move, coming after his vice-captaincy in the Asia Cup 2025 [[11], [12]], is the final, clear signal of his status as the heir apparent across all formats. The path from the selectors’ 2023 blueprint to his current position has been direct and purposeful.
A Legacy of Leadership: From U-19 to Senior Team
Gill’s leadership story didn’t begin in 2023. His captaincy credentials have been evident for years. He was the vice-captain of the triumphant Indian U-19 World Cup team in 2018, where he was the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with an astonishing average of 124.00 [[22], [23]].
He has also led at the domestic level for Punjab and, with immense success, for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, taking over as captain in 2024 . His first, albeit brief, stint as a senior team captain came during a 2024 T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he won 4 out of 5 matches . This consistent exposure to leadership roles at every level has prepared him for the ultimate challenge.
Why Gill? The Making of a Modern Captain
So, what makes Shubman Gill the chosen one? The selectors’ early faith seems to be based on a blend of tangible and intangible qualities:
- Calm Demeanor Under Fire: Gill is known for his unflappable temperament, a crucial trait for a captain in high-pressure Indian cricket.
- Modern Batting Prowess: As one of the world’s most elegant and effective batters in all three formats, he leads from the front with the willow.
- Strategic Acumen: His field placements and bowling changes, even as a stand-in captain, have shown a sharp cricketing mind.
- Respect of Peers: The fact that senior players were part of the consensus in 2023 speaks volumes about the respect he commands in the dressing room.
This combination paints the picture of a captain for the modern game—one who can handle the relentless scrutiny of Indian media and fans while executing a clear, intelligent game plan on the field.
The Road Ahead: Solo Captaincy in Sight?
With Gill now holding the Test captaincy and the T20I vice-captaincy, the only piece of the puzzle missing is the ODI leadership and the full-time T20I captain’s armband. The current split-captaincy model, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the T20Is, appears to be a transitional phase. Given the BCCI’s long-term plan, it’s widely expected that Gill will eventually become India’s sole captain across all formats.
His next major challenge will be to replicate his Test form in the high-stakes ODI and T20I arenas while in a leadership role. His performance in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, starting December 9, 2025, will be a key early test .
Conclusion
The revelation from ex-selector Salil Ankola transforms our understanding of Shubman Gill’s career trajectory. It wasn’t a sudden promotion; it was the culmination of a two-year-long grooming process by the BCCI’s most powerful decision-makers. From his U-19 days to his record-setting Test captaincy debut and now his T20I vice-captaincy, every step has reinforced the faith placed in him back in 2023. The cricketing world is now watching to see if this meticulously planned succession will usher in a new golden era for Indian cricket. For more on the future of Team India’s leadership, explore our deep dive into the [INTERNAL_LINK:india-captaincy-succession-plan].
Sources
[1] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill India captain since 2023 Salil Ankola statement’
[4] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill India captain since 2023 Salil Ankola statement’
[9] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill India captain since 2023 Salil Ankola statement’
[11] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill T20I vice-captain appointment date 2025’
[12] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill T20I vice-captain appointment date 2025’
[16] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill captaincy record India U-19 and senior team’
[19] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill T20I vice-captain appointment date 2025’
[20] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill captaincy record India U-19 and senior team’
[21] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill captaincy record India U-19 and senior team’
[22] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill captaincy record India U-19 and senior team’
[23] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill captaincy record India U-19 and senior team’
[24] Web Search Results on ‘Shubman Gill captaincy record India U-19 and senior team’
[Times of India] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/we-always-knew-hed-take-the-reins-ex-bcci-selector-reveals-shubman-gill-was-earmarked-as-india-captain-since-2023/articleshow/125882669.cms
[ICC Official] https://www.icc-cricket.com