{"id":220525,"date":"2025-01-21T12:12:12","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T12:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/21\/ashwin-backs-shubman-gills-appointment-as-vice-captain-says-its-is-forward-thinking-move-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T12:12:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T12:12:12","slug":"ashwin-backs-shubman-gills-appointment-as-vice-captain-says-its-is-forward-thinking-move-cricket-news-the-times-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/21\/ashwin-backs-shubman-gills-appointment-as-vice-captain-says-its-is-forward-thinking-move-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashwin backs Shubman Gill’s appointment as vice-captain, says ‘it’s is forward-thinking move’ | Cricket News – The Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ashwin<\/div>


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Shubman Gill. (Pic Credit – X)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin<\/a> has endorsed the team management\u2019s decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the vice-captain for the Champions Trophy<\/a>, calling it a \u201cforward-thinking move.\u201d Ashwin highlighted that Gill\u2019s spot in the playing XI is secure, making him a natural choice to be groomed as a future leader.
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Discussing the decision on his YouTube channel, Ashwin stated, \u201cThink about who else in the current squad could be considered for the vice-captain role. I\u2019m not saying whether the decision to make Shubman Gill vice-captain is right or wrong, but it\u2019s clear that the management is looking ahead. He was the vice-captain in the last series too, and I believe he has some vice-captaincy experience in Tests as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Champions Trophy Squad: Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma PC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

While Gill has been named the vice-captain for ODIs, Axar Patel has been given the same role in T20Is. Ashwin noted that this choice reflects stability, given Gill\u2019s established place in the team.
\u201cBoth Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul could play in the XI, but the management has opted for a player whose spot is secure. If Shubman Gill is groomed for leadership, he can lean on the guidance of senior players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Team composition and challenges<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Ashwin pointed out that the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy resembles the one from the 2023 ODI World Cup. He flagged the lack of left-handers in the top seven and the absence of a reliable batting option at No. 8 as areas of concern.
\u201cRohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are right-handed openers, followed by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer at 3 and 4. KL Rahul bats at 5, with Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel at 6 and Hardik Pandya at 7. Beyond that, we lack left-handers. Outside the XI, we have options like Yashasvi Jaiswal<\/a> and Rishabh Pant,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Potential inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Ashwin discussed scenarios where Jaiswal, one of the standout performers from the Australia Test series, could make his ODI debut.
\u201cJaiswal might only play if someone gets injured. But if he performs well, it could open up new possibilities. For instance, Jaiswal could open with Rohit, Gill could move to No. 3, and Virat to No. 4. This would push Pant or KL Rahul to 5, but it might mean Shreyas Iyer misses out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Axar Patel hints at flexible middle-order ahead of England T20I series<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Role of Washington Sundar<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Ashwin also spoke about Sundar\u2019s potential impact, given his all-round abilities.
\u201cGautam Gambhir values Washington for his batting. He could be used as a floater in the lineup. If he bats at No. 8, it provides flexibility to play three pacers or a mix of Kuldeep Yadav and two fast bowlers, utilizing Hardik\u2019s all-round skills,\u201d Ashwin noted.<\/p>\n

Challenges in Dubai conditions
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India will play all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, where dew could significantly influence team combinations. Ashwin suggested that dew might make it challenging to include certain players.
\u201cIf dew is a factor, Sundar at 8 may not work. In such a scenario, Kuldeep Yadav could bat at 8, and the team might opt for three seamers \u2013 Bumrah, Shami, and Arshdeep,\u201d he said.
Ashwin concluded by stressing the need to address India\u2019s lower-order batting depth.
\u201cIn the 2023 World Cup, we struggled for batting depth beyond No. 7. These are the crucial questions the management must address to strike the right balance for the Champions Trophy.\u201d<\/div>\n