Approximately four decades ago, the role of vice-captain for the Australian Test team was fraught with challenges. Individuals such as Andrew Hilditch, David Hookes, and Ray Bright were appointed as deputies to Allan Border at various intervals, only to find themselves removed from the Test squad shortly thereafter.

This occurrence, however, was merely coincidental. The vice-captaincy in cricket serves both as a ceremonial title and a significant role. It entails collaborating with the captain and head coach to devise game plans and strategies, while also holding a position of authority that carries limited responsibility—until the captain becomes unavailable for any reason.

Ideally, the vice-captain should be viewed as the future captain, acquiring the necessary experience to step up when the current leader departs. This unspoken succession strategy has greatly benefited Indian cricket. For instance, Rahul Dravid served as Sourav Ganguly’s deputy before taking over the captaincy, Mahendra Singh Dhoni completed a year-long apprenticeship under Anil Kumble before assuming leadership upon the leg-spinner's retirement, and Virat Kohli had the advantage of observing Dhoni closely before he was entrusted with the Test and limited-overs captaincy in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

Currently, it appears that India is preparing Shubman Gill for a prominent leadership role, potentially in the near future for 50-over formats. The 25-year-old right-handed batsman possesses sufficient experience, having participated in 47 ODIs and 21 T20Is, while also being young enough to maintain this position for an extended period, contingent upon his form and fitness, as continuity in leadership is essential.

Is India ready for split captaincy?

The recent appointment of Shubman Gill as Rohit Sharma's deputy for the upcoming Champions Trophy is not entirely unexpected. Over the past several months, there have been numerous signs indicating that Gill is poised to take on a more prominent leadership role. He captained the T20I team during a five-match series in Zimbabwe in July, where India secured a 4-1 victory. Following this, he served as vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav in the T20I series in Sri Lanka and later to Rohit in the ODI series in the same nation in August.

Gill, hailing from Punjab, is well-acquainted with leadership responsibilities. He led the Gujarat Titans last year after Hardik Pandya returned to the Mumbai Indians, and sources suggest that he possesses a keen and innovative cricketing intellect, although he may need to develop greater assertiveness over time. Not every individual adapts to the role of captaincy immediately, as different leaders exhibit varying styles. The decision-making body within the Indian cricket setup is confident that Gill has the potential to succeed Rohit in ODIs in the near future and is seen as the ideal candidate to lead the team in the next 50-over World Cup scheduled in Africa in 2027. By that time, it is likely that he will also assume the T20I captaincy, as the process of rebuilding the team in that format is expected to commence after the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in India next year.

In his six-year international career, the 50-over format has proven to be Gill's most fruitful. He maintains an impressive average of 58.20, has scored six centuries in 47 innings, and recorded a highest score of 208. His strike rate of 101.74 significantly exceeds the industry standard. During the series in Harare, he demonstrated that the responsibilities of captaincy would not detract from his performance as a batsman, with scores of 31, 2, 66, 58*, and 13.

However, there is a caveat. A caveat that is always present. Gill has just returned from a disappointing tour of Australia, a sentiment shared by many Indian batsmen, having accumulated only 93 runs across three Tests and five innings. His struggles in Australia reflect a troubling trend. Since scoring 91 at the Gabba in 2021, Gill's highest score outside of Asia has been a mere 36. This indicates persistent difficulties with both the moving and bouncing ball, challenges that remain unresolved even after four years. It is likely that discussions regarding his position in the playing eleven will arise when India visits England in the summer for a five-match series; he may find himself on the bench unless he addresses his technique and mental approach. This situation is underscored by the fact that Jasprit Bumrah, rather than Gill, has been appointed as the Test vice-captain.

The concept of split captaincy is not unfamiliar in Indian cricket. Should Gill ascend to the ODI captaincy, it is possible that another player—be it Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, or KL Rahul—might take the helm of the Test team. Nevertheless, in the challenging conditions of the desert next month, Gill must work to regain his scoring form, not merely to validate his retention as vice-captain, but to reaffirm the enduring nature of his talent, which he possesses in great measure.

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