The winds of change are blowing in Indian cricket once again. With Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of his international career and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) forced to reimagine the team’s leadership structure across formats, one name has surfaced with renewed intensity — Shreyas Iyer.

Once considered just another cog in India’s formidable batting line-up, Iyer, at 30, is suddenly being touted as the front-runner to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain, possibly leading the team into the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.

But the timing of this development has sparked an intriguing debate. Iyer was shockingly excluded from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, a decision that drew criticism from experts and disappointment from his own family. Now, as reports suggest that BCCI is grooming him for the 50-over captaincy role, fans and analysts are asking: Is this sudden elevation an act of compensation for his Asia Cup snub, or is it part of a well-thought-out roadmap for Indian cricket’s future?

Rohit Sharma: The Last Dance of a Modern Great?

At the heart of this discussion lies the future of Rohit Sharma, India’s most successful opener after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, and the man who captained India to several high-profile wins, including the 2023 ODI World Cup final appearance and the 2025 Champions Trophy triumph.

At 38, Rohit has already bid adieu to T20Is and Test cricket. According to reports, the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia (October 19–25, 2025) could be his last international assignment.

In preparation for this, Rohit is expected to feature in India A’s warm-up matches in Kanpur (September 30, October 3, October 5) to regain form. For many observers, these matches may represent not just a tune-up, but also a symbolic curtain-raiser to the grand finale of his illustrious career.

While nothing official has been announced, whispers of retirement grow louder with each passing week. If Rohit does indeed call time, Indian cricket will not just lose an opener of rare quality, but also one of the most successful limited-overs captains of his era. Which raises the question: who steps into the hot seat next?

Why Shreyas Iyer and Not Shubman Gill?

Initially, it seemed inevitable that Shubman Gill, India’s current Test captain and newly appointed vice-captain in T20Is, would be groomed as the all-format leader. Gill, just 25, has already amassed 2775 ODI runs in 55 matches at an astonishing average of 59.04. His leadership debut in the Test series against England earlier this year was praised for composure and tactical clarity.

So why has the ODI captaincy baton not been handed to Gill? The answer lies in workload management.

India’s cricket calendar is punishing. After the Asia Cup in September, Gill will lead India in two Tests against the West Indies, travel to Australia for five T20Is, then return home for a full series against South Africa featuring Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Expecting him to captain across all three formats, while also being India’s premier opener, would be a recipe for burnout.

The BCCI has learned from past experiences that Virat Kohli struggled under the strain of three-format captaincy, and even Rohit eventually had to let go of T20I and Test leadership. Hence, selectors now prefer a split captaincy model. Gill will likely shoulder the red-ball and possibly T20 responsibilities, while ODIs could become Iyer’s domain.

The Shreyas Iyer Case: Credentials and Performances

To outsiders, Iyer’s exclusion from the Asia Cup 2025 T20I squad seemed baffling, especially after he led Punjab Kings to the IPL final, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175 and an average of 50.33. Former selector Jatin Paranjape even remarked that his absence “stood out” and that at least “three or four players” could have made way for him.

But Iyer’s strongest case for ODI captaincy comes from his international track record.

• 70 ODIs: 2845 runs at an average of 48.22.

• Five centuries, numerous crucial middle-order knocks.

• Champions Trophy 2025: Scores of 15, 56, 79, 45, and 48 a consistent presence as India clinched the trophy.

Iyer has also demonstrated leadership poise in the IPL, guiding different franchises with maturity. He is known for a calm temperament, tactical awareness, and the ability to handle pressure situations, qualities that mirror Rohit’s own captaincy strengths.

Compensation or Calculated Strategy?

The timing of Iyer’s possible promotion has inevitably raised eyebrows. Just weeks ago, he was deemed unfit for a place in a 15-man T20I squad. Today, he is being discussed as the face of India’s ODI future.

Critics argue this sudden turnaround smacks of compensation politics , a way for selectors to placate Iyer after the Asia Cup snub. His father, Santosh Iyer, openly expressed disappointment at the exclusion, further intensifying the narrative that BCCI is trying to make amends.

However, another way to view it is through the lens of long-term strategy. The BCCI may have deliberately shielded Iyer from the relentless T20 calendar to preserve him for ODIs, a format where his technique and temperament are more valuable. By splitting leadership responsibilities between Gill and Iyer, they reduce the physical and mental burden on both.

In this interpretation, Iyer’s “snub” wasn’t rejection, it was protection.

The Contenders: Who Else Could Replace Rohit?

While Iyer appears the front-runner, he is not the only name in the conversation. The BCCI and fans alike have floated other candidates:

• Shubman Gill – The golden boy of Indian cricket and the most natural successor, but already burdened with Test and T20 leadership.

• KL Rahul – Experienced, adaptable, and India’s go-to wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs post-Pant. But limited captaincy exposure weakens his case.

• Hardik Pandya – A fiery, fearless leader with IPL success under his belt. His injury history, however, makes long-term leadership a gamble.

• Jasprit Bumrah – India’s pace spearhead and a thinking cricketer. But fast-bowlers captaining full-time teams is rare due to workload concerns.

Among these, Iyer ticks the most boxes: youth, experience, batting stability, leadership credentials, and fitness. Unless the BCCI makes a radical choice, he remains the safest and most logical bet.

Will We Ever See Rohit Sharma as Captain Again?

The larger emotional question for fans is whether Rohit Sharma’s era of captaincy is coming to a permanent close.

If reports hold true, Rohit’s farewell series in Australia will be the last time we see him lead India in any format. For a man who has led India in nearly 200 matches across formats, it will mark the end of a defining chapter.

His exit also symbolizes the end of an era. With Virat Kohli already stepping back, India’s leadership baton is now firmly in the hands of the next generation Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and now possibly Shreyas Iyer.

Whether Rohit officially announces retirement or simply steps away quietly, the consensus is clear: the days of his captaincy are numbered.

Why Shreyas Iyer as ODI Captain is a Good Decision

Regardless of whether this move is seen as compensation or strategy, appointing Shreyas Iyer as ODI captain could be one of BCCI’s best transitional calls in recent years.

• Experience without overburden: Iyer is seasoned enough to handle leadership, yet not stretched across formats.

• Stability in the middle order: As captain, he will likely cement his own place, ensuring continuity.

• Calm but assertive leadership: His track record in IPL and domestic cricket suggests he can manage egos and pressure.

• Long-term vision: By 2027, he will be in his prime at 32, guiding a settled squad into the World Cup.

Compensation or Masterstroke?

So, is the BCCI elevating Shreyas Iyer as ODI captain just to make up for his Asia Cup exclusion? Perhaps partially. But more importantly, it reflects a pragmatic shift and acceptance that no single player can handle all-format captaincy in today’s cricketing landscape.

Shreyas Iyer, once sidelined, now finds himself at the cusp of history. If Rohit Sharma’s farewell indeed comes this October, the baton will pass to him, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket.

And while fans may never again witness Rohit Sharma marshalling his troops in blue, they might just discover a new, steady hand on the wheel in Shreyas Iyer, a leader ready to steer India into the future.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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