5 Indian Players Who Can Captain India For The Next Decade

When Virat Kohli stepped down as the leader of the Indian side after a humiliating exit in the T20 World Cup 2021, Rohit Sharma became the new skipper for the national side across formats. Under his leadership, the Blue Brigade ended as the runner-up of the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Recently, the Nagpur-born earned the Champions Trophy 2025. He is expected to lead the side in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. However, the next decade will see many youngsters leading the side.

Here is the list of 5 Indian players who can captain India for the next decade

1. Shubman Gill

Undoubtedly, Shubman Gill will be a first-choice player to lead India across formats in the next decade. The right-hander has been fantastic in his primary job with the bat for the national side. He has clubbed 5246 runs in 135 innings at an average of nearly 39.

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Gill has celebrated a double century in the ODI against New Zealand in Hyderabad. He has led the Gujarat Titans fabulously in the Indian Premier League and will look to repeat the same performance for the national side in the next decade.

2. Rishabh Pant

Pant is another option for the national side, who can lead India in the next seven and eight years across formats. After his incredible performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2020-21, he has come into the captaincy department of the national side.

He has also led the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, which will help him to use the past experience of the franchise tournament for the Blue Brigade. Being a wicket-keeper, it’s always an advantage for the youngster to get the best field placement.

3. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah’s reputation as the national side’s premier pacer has grown by leaps and bounds. He is already the ninth leading wicket-taker across formats for India with 443 scalps in 243 innings at an average of just over 20 and a strike rate of 33.22 with the help of 15 five-wicket hauls.

Bumrah has already led the team during the opening Test in Perth of the BGT 2024-25 and has shown his incredible leadership skills. It could be tough for him as a fast bowler to lead the side across formats, but he has the mental strength to captain them.

4. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is yet to cement his position on the national side. He has been part of a handful of games, mostly when the seniors have taken a rest after a long international series or tournament. But the right-handed batter has done well in whatever small chances he has had.

Gaikwad has nailed 748 runs in 26 innings at an average of 34 and a strike rate of 125.08, scoring five half-centuries and one century at the best score of unbeaten 123 runs.

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Having led the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 and expecting to do so in the next few seasons under MS Dhoni’s observation, he has gained some vital experiences and can use them for India in the upcoming years.

5. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is 30 years old at the moment and has already won the IPL last year for the Kolkata Knight Riders. He has done a tremendous job for the Punjab Kings in the leadership group this year. Iyer is calm and handles the pressure beautifully in crunch situations.

At present, the Mumbai batter has smacked 4760 runs in 136 innings at an average of 40.68 and a strike rate of 96.29, thanks to six centuries and 35 fifties. He can lead India in the next 10 years.