Finch Backs Gill ODI Captain Ahead of Australia Series
New Delhi : Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has backed Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s ODI skipper ahead of the three-match series between the two teams, calling it the right move at the right time, especially with an eye on the 2027 World Cup.
Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma to become India’s new ODI skipper and will lead the side in the upcoming three-match series in Australia, starting in Perth on Sunday. Finch views the decision to give ODI captaincy to Gill, the full-time Test captain who has led the team before in T20Is, as a forward-looking step that aligns with India’s planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Gill ODI Captain : Balancing Leadership and Workload
Finch himself knows the importance of giving a new captain time for an ODI World Cup – in 2022, he retired from the format following a lean run and handed the reins to Pat Cummins, who then captained Australia at the 2023 mega event in India.
“I think it’s a great move to get Shubman in at this time. Whenever you’re probably this far out from a 50-over World Cup, it’s important that you’re well and truly into the planning stages, focusing on that 2027 World Cup. So, from my point of view, it’s absolutely the right move.
“He’s a wonderful player, and we know that it’s the same in all formats of the game. Planning and preparation are so important. You need to go into the last six or nine months of the cycle knowing exactly what your plans are for that World Cup. Shubman has shown leadership in T20s, ODIs, and Test matches. It’s the right time and a good move,” Finch told IANS during a virtual media day on Saturday.
Gill’s elevation to ODI captaincy comes at a time when some worry about burnout given his workload. Following the ODI series, Gill will join the five-match T20I series against Australia as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav before returning to India to feature in the all-format series against South Africa, starting on November 14.
Finch Confident About Gill’s Captaincy Skills
Though Gill said ahead of the second India-West Indies Test in New Delhi that he is willing to face the workload challenge to succeed in all formats and win ICC titles, Finch believes the schedule will not affect Gill.
“Well, I don’t think it will make much difference to Shubman that he’s playing across three formats. He has been a wonderful performer in all three, and his Test hundreds in England were brilliant. His ODI record speaks for itself; it’s remarkable.
“It’s hard to fathom a young guy coming in and dominating world cricket as he has. He handles squad responsibilities wonderfully while focusing on his own game. He has found the right balance, and he will be a great leader for India,” Finch elaborated.
–IANS
