Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina opens up on BCCI’s decision of naming Shubman Gill as Indian vice-captain for the Champions Trophy 2025 and says “He is the next superstar in India”.
While announcing the India squad for Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI named opening batter Shubman Gill as the vice-captain ahead of the many senior players. Though the decision received mixed reactions from the cricket community many cricket experts and analysts believe that Gill has the potential to lead the team in future.
Even former Indian allrounder Suresh Raina threw his point of view on the BCCI’s bold decision and claimed that “it speaks volumes about his potential”.
“Absolutely. I think Shubman Gill is the next superstar in India. He’s done remarkably well in the one-day side. When you give such a good opportunity to a youngster, like making him the vice-captain in the ICC Champions Trophy, it speaks volumes about his potential.
Rohit Sharma clearly knows who the next leader will be. Shubman Gill is one of the best captains we’ve seen, especially with how he led the Gujarat team in the IPL. The way he has performed in the last 12-16 months justifies this decision. That’s why Rohit will open with him—it’s a great move by the selectors and Rohit Sharma himself”, said Raina on the Star Sports press room show.
Suresh Raina further added that Shubman Gill has an excellent onfield work ethic and also has a strong awareness of the game.
“Rohit has observed how Gill leads, much like how Virat Kohli did. Gill’s on-field work ethic is exceptional. He knows the team, leads from the front, and has a strong awareness of the game. It’s a very good move by the selectors and Rohit,” he added.
Raina also claimed that he was surprised following the exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav from the Champions Trophy 2025 squad.
Though Suryakumar has established himself in the T20I team, he hasn’t been able to do so in the 50-over format, where his last appearance came in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad.
“When the team was announced yesterday, I was surprised. Suryakumar Yadav, who made a lot of noise during the 2024 World Cup, wasn’t included. He’s called “360” in white-ball cricket for a reason. He can play sweeps, change the game in the middle overs, and chase at a run rate of 9. I believe Surya should have been in the team.
In the middle overs, you need a player who can dominate the opposition. In Dubai, the dimensions of the ground vary—smaller at point and front, bigger on the cover—which suits Surya’s batting style. If he were included, the X-factor in the middle order wouldn’t be missing.
Without him, more responsibility falls on the top three, whose form hasn’t been great. The middle order becomes a key focus: will KL Rahul play there? Will Rishabh Pant bat higher? Will there be a left-right combination? Will Axar Patel bat up the order? If Suryakumar were there, he could have batted anywhere,” concluded Raina.
