Agarkar's Shubman Gill potential discussed, with Suresh Raina emphasizing 'IPL' as crucial factor: 'He could be the next superstar if...'

Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya's departure, has been appointed as the vice-captain for the upcoming T20Is and ODIs tour of Sri Lanka in July-August. This decision comes ahead of seasoned players like Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul. There are reports suggesting that Gill, seen as the heir apparent to Virat Kohli, may also be considered for the vice-captaincy role in Test matches. However, the BCCI has not yet announced a vice-captain for the opening match against Bangladesh.

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina, however, reckons that BCCI is likely to back Gill as the future T20I leader of India, provided he performs well in IPL as a captain and guides his franchise to a title haul.

Gill is vice captain; it means someone is thinking about him. If he does well in the IPL and wins the trophy he is the future (captaincy). He will be the next super star," PTI quoted Raina as saying at an event.

Gill has so far led India in only one series - against Zimbabwe in July - where the team won 4-1. His previous captaincy experience came in IPL 2024, although Gujarat incurred a disappointing season, finishing eighth in the points table after just five wins in 14 league games. This was the first time since their debut in 2022 that Gujarat failed to make the playoffs.

Pant is certain to make a return to the Indian Test playing XI for the first time since December 2022, when he incurred a car accident. Following his fifty in the Duleep Trophy earlier this month, Pant was backed for the opening Test against Bangladesh and Raina is excited to watch him in action.

"He is looking very good. He scored a fifty in Duleep Trophy. He has been keeping well. When you talk about a Test match you play it session by session.

"Bangladesh have done well against Pakistan. They have got good spinners, it will be interesting to see how the Indians bat against them," said Raina ahead of the fiirst Test starting in Chennai on Thursday.