"It seems like Gill is the heir apparent" - Aakash Chopra on Shubman Gill's appointment as vice-captain for IND vs SL ODI and T20I series
Aakash Chopra reckons Shubman Gill's appointment as India's vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka implies that he is being looked at as the future skipper. He pointed out that KL Rahul was a potential option as Rohit Sharma's deputy in ODIs.
The Men in Blue will face the Lankan Lions in three T20Is followed by as many ODIs. While Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit will lead the visitors in T20Is and ODIs, respectively, Gill has been named the vice-captain in both formats.
Reflecting on the ODI squad in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that while Rohit continues to be the skipper, Gill has been elevated ahead of a more experienced Rahul.
"If we talk about the ODI squad, Rohit is going. Shubman Gill is the vice-captain. Interestingly enough Shubman Gill has been made the vice-captain of both teams. KL Rahul could probably have been made the vice-captain but he is not there, Shubman Gill is there. So it seems like Gill is the heir apparent," he said (5:35).
The former India opener pointed out that Shivam Dube's selection in both formats implies that he is expected to play a bigger role, especially in Hardik Pandya's absence in ODIs.
"Sanju Samson's name is not there here. Shreyas Iyer - he had a very good World Cup, he is there in the team. Shivam Dube is in both teams, both ODIs and T20Is. It means you are seeing a bigger role for him because Hardik Pandya's name is not there in ODIs," Chopra observed.
Chopra added that Hardik not being part of the ODI series might be an indication of his long-term availability in the format.
"Although ODIs will be played later, Hardik Pandya not being there shows and gives a hint of how he probably sees himself in the ODIs, how much he wants to play the longer format. Remember, he got injured in the last World Cup and didn't play anything for six months after that. So you never know how his career shapes up," he elaborated.
Hardik reportedly opted out of the ODI series due to personal reasons. It remains to be seen if he wants to play only in the shortest format going forward, especially considering that he could be vital for India's prospects in next year's Champions Trophy.
"I think it's a very good selection" - Aakash Chopra on Washington Sundar
Aakash Chopra feels Washington Sundar's selection in both formats is a positive development.
"Washington Sundar has come in both teams. I think it's a very good selection. Washi's name should be there in Tests as well, he is that kind of a player. The Hyderabad franchise and the Indian cricket team haven't used him that well but he is good. He did well in Zimbabwe recently. I like this boy a lot," he said in the same video (6:40).
The reputed commentator termed Harshit Rana's inclusion in the ODI squad an interesting selection.
"Harshit Rana is an interesting one. I expected him to come earlier, that he would be there on the Zimbabwe tour as well. He wasn't there but he is there here. He went for two matches but didn't play. He is now a part of the ODI squad here. There is no doubt that Bumrah has been rested and Mohammed Shami is still unavailable," Chopra elaborated.
Rana was added to the Indian squad for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe but didn't get to play a game. He has been chosen ahead of Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, and Tushar Deshpande, who played against the Chevrons, for the ODIs against Sri Lanka.