Former India batter Robin Uthappa believes Shubman Gill won’t become India’s all-format captain, despite taking charge in Tests and ODIs from Rohit Sharma. The ex-cricketer and commentator stated that Gill must still prove himself in T20Is, adding that Shreyas Iyer could succeed Suryakumar Yadav as captain in the shortest format.
Robin Uthappa’s comments came after Gill was appointed T20I vice-captain ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. Interestingly, Iyer hasn’t featured in a T20I since December 2023 but has excelled as a leader in the IPL, guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 title and Punjab Kings to the 2025 final. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said:
“I get One Day and Test cricket, and I think he’s a solid pick in Test cricket, and he’s shown us that as well. As far as ODI cricket is concerned, I think his numbers are good, but I think they’ll get better for a player of his caliber. I think they will look at Shreyas Iyer as a captain in T20. Shubman Gill, he still has to earn that spot.”
“Gill Not Guaranteed T20I Captaincy”- Uthappa
Uthappa, while also mentioning Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson as contenders, stated that the second opening spot remains up for grabs after Shubman Gill’s underwhelming performance in the 2025 Asia Cup. He reiterated that Gill’s place as a T20I captain is far from certain. The 39-year-old added:
“Especially when have Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings, Sanju Samson’s spot being shifted, Shreyas Iyer not being a part of the side, waiting in the wings as well. I wish his Asia Cup went better for him for his sake because now Abhishek has run with that one opener slot. Now, the second opener slot is still very much open. As far as I am concerned, Yashasvi can be someone who can come up there. Sanju can certainly come up there.”
“I still think Gill needs to secure his spot first. So, I don’t think it will be taken for granted in a sense where he will be captain or he will be next in line.” We know and we’ve seen Indian cricket changes overnight; things change very quickly, narratives change very quickly. Honestly, vice-captaincy in India doesn’t mean very much… Like, you’ve seen a bunch of vice-captains not becoming captain, right?” he added.
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