As speculation swirls around Rohit Sharma's eventual successor as India's ODI captain, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu recently weighed in during a chat on the Shubhankar Mishra YouTube podcast.
He made a case for Shreyas Iyer to take over the captaincy - highlighting Iyer's exceptional captaincy records and suggesting that Shubman Gill might not be the preferred choice despite his impressive form.
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Here's why Rayudu backed Iyer for what could well be India's most crucial leadership slot.
Ambati Rayudu backs Shreyas Iyer as next ODI captain
On the podcast, Rayudu was asked directly who should succeed Rohit Sharma when he eventually retires. Without hesitation, he responded:
"I think Iyer. Extraordinary someone who's taken KKR to be champions. Then Punjab the way he's led a young Punjab team - there's no chance you don't give him that. He is an extraordinary captain and should become captain soon."
This strong endorsement comes despite Iyer's busy IPL schedule, as Rohit has said he plans to play through the 2027 ODI World Cup.
In 2024, Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL championship. In 2025, he took charge of Punjab Kings - becoming the first captain in IPL history to lead three different franchises to the finals and playoffs.
Though Shubman Gill has recently captained India during the England Tests and performed admirably, Rayudu seems to favor Iyer's proven leadership pedigree in the IPL for the ODI format.
What lies ahead for India's leadership
With Rohit's eyes still on the 2027 ODI World Cup, the leadership transition won't happen immediately. But Rayudu's words add fuel to the discussion as selectors evaluate long-term leadership options.
With Iyer consistently delivering results, his ODI captaincy credentials are only getting stronger. Whether the board agrees will be seen in the time to come.