Three captains for three forms is a daring attempt that will usher in a new era for India’s cricket leadership. Suryakumar Yadav has assumed leadership of the T20I team, Shubman Gill is in charge of the Test team, and Rohit Sharma is in charge of the ODI squad. India’s depth and versatility are reflected in this format-specific approach, but it has also generated controversy. Aakash Chopra, a former opener for India, recently voiced his opinion and posed the incisive query: Should Shubman Gill take Axar Patel’s spot as vice captain in Twenty20 Internationals?
Chopra’s remarks coincide with mounting conjecture on Gill’s potential return to the shortest format and the consequences of having several captains with player pools that overlap.
Chopra Challenges India’s Three-Captain System
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Chopra analyzed India’s political system and raised an intriguing query:
Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is, Rohit Sharma in ODIs, and Shubman Gill in Test matches—three forms and three captains. Is it correct? Is that going to change in any way? Is a captain going to be given two formats? Will you begin to use Shubman Gill in Twenty20 cricket?
He recognized the speculation that Gill would be included to the T20I team and asked if a change in vice-captaincy would be necessary as a result:
A temptation might arise. And there are rumors. In order to maintain consistency, will you designate Shubman Gill as the vice captain in T20Is rather than Axar? This is going to be a little difficult. I think two captains is sufficient. Three captains gets to be a bit excessive.
Unlike other team sports, cricket necessitates perceptive leadership, Chopra underlined. A key component of strategy, momentum changes, and on-field decision-making is the captain’s role:
“Cricket is an extremely simple game. A captain cannot be spoon-fed there. You want a little continuity in such a case.
He also cautioned about the possible issues that could arise from player pools that overlap. Because players like Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah play a variety of forms, there may be misunderstandings due to different captaincy principles:
Shubman Gill’s Vice-Captainship Discussion
Chopra made these remarks in the midst of speculation that Shubman Gill, who just succeeded the retiring Rohit Sharma as Test captain, would also be given consideration for a T20I playing position. He said, “Will you make Shubman Gill the vice-captain instead of Axar [Patel]?” at this point. He said that in order to maintain continuity and future planning, there would be a “temptation” to assign Gill the vice-captaincy if he is selected for the Asia Cup’s T20I squad. The T20I vice-captain at the moment is Axar Patel.
Relevance and Context
Discussions over Gill’s leadership potential across formats have been rekindled by his recent success as Test captain, which included an outstanding showing in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Axar Patel has recently been Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy in T20I series, therefore selectors must carefully weigh the possible change.
Chopra also cautioned against the issues that might arise when three captains have different ideologies, particularly when players like KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah play in many formats:
What Lies Ahead?
With the Asia Cup 2025 approaching, selectors face a tough call. Gill’s form and leadership credentials make him a strong candidate, but Axar’s steady presence and tactical acumen cannot be overlooked. Whether the BCCI opts for continuity or a strategic reshuffle, Chopra’s question lingers — and fans are watching closely.