Shreyas Iyer is reportedly emerging as India Next ODI Captain, with strong backing from his recent performances and leadership credentials. Despite his surprising exclusion from the Asia Cup 2025 squad, reports suggest that the selectors see Shreyas Iyer as ODI captain after Rohit Sharma.
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3 Reasons Why Shreyas Iyer is the Best Choice for India Next ODI Captain
With Rohit nearing the twilight of his career, the search for a long-term leader has intensified, and Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy experience in the IPL, along with his consistent batting and composure under pressure, make him a top contender to guide India in the 50-over format.
1. Proven Captaincy Experience
Shreyas Iyer’s leadership credentials speak for themselves. He guided KKR to the IPL 2024 title and took Punjab Kings to the 2025 final, showing his ability to handle pressure and inspire teams. This experience makes Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy a natural fit for the national side in ODIs.
2. Strong Middle-Order Batsman
Known for his consistency, Shreyas has scored 2845 runs in 70 ODIs at an impressive average of 48, including 22 fifties and 5 centuries. His role as a dependable middle-order batsman adds balance to India’s line-up, further strengthening his case as India Next ODI Captain.
3. A Long-Term Investment
At just 30, Shreyas Iyer represents a long-term option for Indian cricket. With the 2027 World Cup and 2029 Champions Trophy in sight, his age, form, and leadership experience make him an ideal choice to take the ODI team forward.
Related Article：Why Shreyas Iyer Is Not in Asia Cup 2025 — Politics or Performance Snub?
Shreyas Iyer vs Shubman Gill：Who is Really India Next ODI Captain?
The buzz around Shreyas Iyer as ODI captain refuses to die down. After his exclusion from the Asia Cup 2025 squad, reports suddenly surfaced claiming that Iyer could be India Next ODI Captain once Rohit Sharma steps down. On paper, it sounds logical — Iyer has the IPL credentials, solid batting numbers, and the temperament to lead under pressure. But here’s where things start to look a little murky.
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Former India opener Aakash Chopra has poured cold water on the rumours, making it very clear that the BCCI already has its eyes set on Shubman Gill. According to him, the decision is “already made” even if it hasn’t been announced officially. Gill’s rise has been meteoric — not only has he been handed the Test captaincy, but he also produced a historic England tour, piling up 754 runs in just one series. Add to that his reinstatement as T20 vice-captain and his existing role as ODI vice-captain, and the writing seems to be on the wall. Chopra bluntly stated:
“Shubman Gill is going to be the next ODI captain.”
Now, here’s where the gossip angle kicks in. While Iyer may well be capable of leading India in ODIs, the timing of the leak has raised eyebrows. Just days after being snubbed for the Asia Cup squad, stories about Iyer being groomed for captaincy mysteriously appeared. Coincidence? Many fans and experts think not. Some are whispering that the BCCI is “just handing him a lollipop” to keep him quiet — a way to soften the blow of being dropped by dangling the carrot of captaincy.
It wouldn’t be the first time the board has played its cards this way. Giving hope today, but when the real decision moment arrives — like the 2027 World Cup — will they actually back Iyer? Or will Gill, with his rapid promotion across formats, be the one officially handed the reins? That’s the big question.
🚨 CAPTAIN IYER IN ODI CRICKET. 🚨
– Shreyas Iyer considered as the next ODI captain by the BCCI. (Abhishek Tripathi). pic.twitter.com/LURBD87A7s
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 21, 2025
What’s undeniable is that Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy experience in the IPL and his strong ODI record make him a solid candidate. At the same time, Shubman Gill’s leadership trajectory suggests the BCCI is grooming him as the long-term face of Indian cricket. For now, fans can only speculate: is Iyer truly in line to be India Next ODI Captain, or is this all just clever PR spin from the board? One thing’s certain — the captaincy debate is only heating up, and both Iyer and Gill are right at the center of it.
The Road Ahead
The battle to decide India Next ODI Captain has become one of the most talked-about debates in Indian cricket. On paper, Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy credentials are hard to ignore. He has proven himself as a leader in the IPL, guiding franchises to success, while also delivering consistent runs in the middle order in international cricket. His experience and maturity make him an obvious candidate to step into Rohit Sharma’s shoes.
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However, the rapid rise of Shubman Gill cannot be overlooked. The youngster has already been handed the Test captaincy, delivered a record-breaking series against England, and been reinstated as vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs. These moves clearly signal that the BCCI views him as a long-term investment for Indian cricket. The whispers around Shreyas Iyer as ODI captain may be genuine, or they could simply be a clever distraction after his Asia Cup snub. Ultimately, the real decision will unfold when Rohit finally steps down, and only then will we know whether the crown goes to Iyer or Gill.
