The BCCI has officially unveiled a 16-man Team India squad that will take on Bangladesh, Australia, and South Africa in a high-stakes tri-continent ODI schedule — and as expected, stalwart Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with young batting sensation Shubman Gill named vice-captain in a move that cements him as India’s future leader in white-ball cricket.
The announcement came late last night after an intense selection meeting, with the selectors opting for a squad that blends experienced campaigners with exciting young talent to navigate a packed calendar against three competitive sides.
Here’s the confirmed 16-member India ODI squad:
✅ Rohit Sharma (Captain) – Continues to lead India’s ODI ambitions, aiming to set the tone at the top.
✅ Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain) – Promoted as deputy after a stellar run of form, set to open with Rohit.
✅ Virat Kohli – The batting maestro returns to bolster India’s middle order.
✅ Shreyas Iyer – Comes back after injury, adding stability and aggression in the middle overs.
✅ Suryakumar Yadav – Retains his spot, hoping to translate his T20 brilliance into consistent ODI performances.
✅ KL Rahul (WK) – Preferred wicketkeeper-batter, brings experience in both middle order and as an opener.
✅ Sanju Samson (WK) – Second wicketkeeper, offers explosive hitting down the order.
✅ Hardik Pandya – India’s premier pace-bowling all-rounder, crucial for balance and finishing.
✅ Ravindra Jadeja – Veteran spin-bowling all-rounder, expected to play a key role on turning tracks.
✅ Axar Patel – Another spin-bowling all-rounder, strengthens lower-middle order.
✅ Shardul Thakur – Seam-bowling all-rounder who provides breakthroughs and handy runs.
✅ Kuldeep Yadav – Left-arm wrist-spinner retained for his wicket-taking ability in middle overs.
✅ Jasprit Bumrah – India’s pace spearhead, set to lead the attack in crunch games.
✅ Mohammed Siraj – Brings fire with the new ball, crucial for early breakthroughs.
✅ Mukesh Kumar – Earns a place after impressive showings, offers backup seam options.
✅ Prasidh Krishna – Tall pacer returning from injury, completes the pace battery with bounce and extra pace.
This squad indicates a clear strategy: India plans to maintain a strong batting lineup till No. 8 while keeping a balanced attack with both wrist and finger spin options. The selectors have emphasized depth, with a mix of five fast bowlers and three spinners to rotate based on conditions in Bangladesh, Australia, and South Africa.
Speaking after the announcement, a senior BCCI official said: “This squad gives us the versatility and depth needed to tackle varied conditions across three countries. Rohit and Gill will lead an experienced yet dynamic side.”
Fans erupted online, with hashtags like #RohitGill, #ODISquad, and #IndiaCricket trending within minutes. Many hailed Gill’s elevation as vice-captain as a sign of India’s commitment to grooming its next-generation leader.
With this squad confirmed, can Rohit and his men dominate three challenging series and fine-tune their game ahead of bigger ICC tournaments?