Fri Feb 07 08:27:46 UTC 2025: ## Pandya Poised for India Captaincy? Future Leadership Speculation Mounts After Champions Trophy

**New Delhi:** Speculation is rife regarding the future of India’s cricket captaincy, particularly after the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. While no immediate changes are expected, significant shifts are anticipated post-tournament.

Currently, Rohit Sharma leads the team, with Shubman Gill named his deputy for the ongoing ODI series against England. However, if India underperforms in the Champions Trophy, a major overhaul is predicted. A report in an English website suggests Hardik Pandya could be appointed as the next ODI captain.

Sources claim that head coach Gautam Gambhir favors Pandya as vice-captain, a view reportedly opposed by Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar, who support Gill. Pandya’s potential rise extends to T20Is as well, with Suryakumar Yadav’s fluctuating form potentially paving the way for a leadership change. Rohit Sharma’s future in ODIs after the Champions Trophy remains uncertain, further fueling the speculation surrounding Pandya.

While Gill is currently the deputy, Pandya’s strong performance could easily secure him the captaincy. There’s a perception within the BCCI and among some, including Gambhir, that Pandya has been unfairly overlooked.

The debate extends beyond Pandya’s potential captaincy. The recent India vs England ODI series saw contrasting performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, sparking a heated discussion among former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Harbhajan Singh, who favored Jaiswal over Gill. Former cricketer Akash Chopra criticized those questioning Gill’s place in the team, citing his consistent run-scoring. The Champions Trophy results will likely be pivotal in determining the future leadership of the Indian cricket team.

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