Former cricketer Virender Sehwag has endorsed the selection committee’s decision to appoint young batter Shubman Gill as the India skipper for the Zimbabwe series. The Men in Blue are set to play five T20Is against Zimbabwe in Harare, starting on July 6.
The selectors have opted for a youthful squad for this series, including only two players—Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson—from the squad currently competing in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Shubman Gill’s appointment as captain is seen as a forward-looking move.
Sehwag supports the decision, emphasizing that Gill is the right choice to lead India when Rohit Sharma eventually steps aside.
In an interview with Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag said:
“Shubman Gill is for the long haul. He’s a player who excels in all three formats. He had an excellent last year and was unfortunate to miss out on the 2024 T20 World Cup. In my view, it is the right decision to make him the captain. When Rohit Sharma steps down, Shubman Gill will be his ideal replacement for captaincy.”
Shubman Gill’s Leadership in IPL 2024
Gill recently showcased his leadership skills with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya moved to the Mumbai Indians. Despite GT finishing eighth with five wins and seven losses, Gill impressed with his tactical acumen throughout the campaign.
Rewarding Young Talent: Sehwag’s Take
The squad for the Zimbabwe series reflects the rewarding of IPL 2024 performers like Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma. Sehwag sees nothing wrong with this approach, stating that the series will test whether these players can replicate their IPL success on the international stage.
“What’s wrong with that? When you’ve performed well in the IPL and domestic cricket, selection for international cricket naturally follows. This tour is to see if the players who have excelled can do the same at the international level,” Sehwag concluded.
Sehwag’s endorsement of Shubman Gill as captain and the inclusion of young IPL stars adds an exciting dimension to the Zimbabwe series, offering a glimpse into India’s cricketing future.
