Champions Trophy 2025: Ashwin calls Gill’s appointment as vice-captain a ‘forward-thinking move’

Champions Trophy 2025: Ashwin calls Gill’s appointment as vice-captain a ‘forward-thinking move’

Former India international Ravichandran Ashwin backed the Indian team management’s decision to appoint Shubman Gill as vice-captain for the upcoming Champions Trophy, calling it a ‘forward-thinking move’.

“Think about who else in the current squad could be considered for the vice-captain role. I’m not saying whether the decision to make Shubman Gill vice-captain was right or wrong, but the point raised is valid, especially since he was the vice-captain in the last series as well,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel on Sunday.

“I could be mistaken, but I believe he’s also had some vice-captaincy experience in Test cricket. This could be a forward-thinking move, as the management might be considering who could take on the leadership role in the future.” While Gill is the ODI vice-captain, Axar Patel has been handed the role in T20Is.

“While both (Rishabh) Pant and (KL) Rahul could play together, they’ve handed the vice-captaincy to the player whose spot in the XI is already secure. If Shubman Gill is groomed to lead in the future, he can rely on the guidance of senior players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah,” he said.

“This squad mirrors the 2023 ODI World Cup,” Ashwin said. The ICC event is scheduled to start from February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.

(With inputs from PTI)