Stepping into Rohit Sharma’s shoes was never going to be easy, but Shubman Gill’s ODI captaincy debut in Australia turned out to be rougher than most expected. The young opener looked burdened by expectations, and the carefree stroke-maker who once topped the ODI rankings seemed a shadow of himself. Many fans were excited about Shubman Gill’s ODI captaincy, but what unfolded Down Under was a reminder that leadership at this level can come with a heavy price.

A Rocky Start for Shubman Gill’s ODI Captaincy

For India new ODI captain India, the three-match series in Australia was a baptism by fire. Gill managed just 10, 9, and 24 in the three ODIs, a total of 43 runs at an average of 14.33. Not exactly numbers you’d want from your skipper, especially when you’re up against an Aussie attack breathing fire at home. India did salvage some pride with a win in the final game at the SCG, but the 2–1 scoreline meant India ODI series loss on his captaincy debut.

It wasn’t just the runs that were missing; it was the spark. Gill’s dismissals came from a mix of poor shot choices and tight Australian bowling. At times, he seemed caught between aggression and caution, a sign that the pressure of Gill’s captaincy might be clouding his natural rhythm.

Shubman Gill vs Rohit Sharma — A Tale of Two Captains

To put things in perspective, let’s look at how Rohit Sharma fared in his first ODI series as captain compared to Gill’s recent one.

Even though Rohit didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard back then, his innings showed intent and adaptability. The veteran eventually found form in the third match, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most dependable ODI openers in the game. Meanwhile, India new ODI captain India looked tentative, still adjusting to the dual responsibility of opening and leading. Interestingly, it was Rohit, no longer skipper, who ended up winning Player of the Series this time around. That must have stung a little. For selectors, it raised questions about whether the timing of the captaincy switch was right, especially after India ODI series loss against Aussie.

Related Article：Fans Think Rohit Sharma is Out of Form to Spite Shubman Gill?!

“He Looked Mentally Tired”

It didn’t take long for the former players to come to his defence. Mohammad Kaif, speaking on his YouTube channel, said:

“He has played a lot of matches lately. He has to open the batting and also captain the team in multiple formats. Then, there is the IPL captaincy as well. With the auction coming up, there will be calls with the Gujarat Titans for planning. There is a lot on his plate at once, and it seemed like it had affected his batting a bit. He looked mentally tired.”

K Srikkanth shared a similar sentiment, adding:

“After performing in England, probably he is also putting pressure on himself. He shouldn’t do that and just play his game. He actually played well today but just got a superb delivery from Hazlewood. More than Shubman Gill getting himself out, it was a wicket-taking delivery that got him. But he does look to be under pressure, just observing his body language because he has replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain, while also opening alongside him.”

Their words reflect a growing feeling that India new ODI captain India might simply be overworked. After all, he led the Test side in England just months ago, guiding a new-look team to a gritty 2–2 draw, a commendable result for a young side and a captain making his Test debut as skipper. In contrast, the Australian ODIs came too soon, offering no breather for mental reset.

Lessons from Rohit：Calm, Class, and Clarity

So, what now for Gill? The answer might be found in his predecessor. Rohit’s early captaincy days weren’t flawless either. He too faced scrutiny, lean patches, and questions over form. Yet, he learned to compartmentalise: captain when needed, and bat freely when not.

The reaction of DSP Siraj and Shubman Gill after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli masterclass. pic.twitter.com/pkgkfJ1VbZ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 25, 2025

For Shubman Gill’s ODI captaincy to flourish, he’ll need to rediscover that balance. Leadership isn’t just about tossing the coin right; it’s about knowing when to switch off from the noise. Perhaps spending more time focusing on his batting rhythm, leaning on senior voices like Rohit and Virat, and allowing himself to make mistakes without fear could help.

Not the series result we all hoped for, but plenty of takeaways and positives to build on. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/CBb70Fjx92

— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) October 25, 2025

There’s no denying that India ODI series loss in Australia hurts, both for the team and for fans who expected fireworks. But every captain’s journey starts with a stumble or two. If Gill takes a leaf out of Rohit’s playbook, patience, poise, and perspective, the next chapter of India new ODI captain India might just read very differently.