Shubman Gill might not be India’s T20I captain right now, but his shot at leading the team later is still very much there. Even if Shreyas Iyer has been handed the role, the selectors don’t seem ready to drop Gill from their long, slow thinking plans, like at all. This recent captaincy move didn’t kill Gill’s ambitions, instead it looks like they want a steadier, more experienced captain for now. You know, for the moment. Shreyas Iyer Gets the First Opportunity When the conversation started around who could captain India’s T20I side in the future , Shubman Gill was definitely in the mix. His performances kept coming in, and his leadership growth has been building, step by step, so he looked like a serious option. But then the selectors went with Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain. And yeah, Iyer’s experience running squads in franchise cricket, especially in tougher situations, mattered a lot in how they viewed him. The next T20I series vs Ireland, begins on June 26 in Belfast, and it will also be Iyer’s first real assignment as India’s full-time T20I captain. Everyone will be watching how he handles it as both captain and batter, not only one part. Gill Remains in the Selectors’ Plans This means that even if Gill wasn’t picked up this time around, he isn’t completely done with his career yet. According to reports, the selectors are quite fond of him because they view him as someone capable of taking up a big position in the future. The selectors find it impressive how Gill performs regardless of whether he plays in ODIs or T20s, and how he handles himself under pressure situations. This “cool-headed under fire” kind of contribution usually catches the eyes of the team management. In short, the selectors continue to think of Gill as one of the key young talents for India. Tough Competition in India’s T20I Team However, Gill is still up against stiff competition from India’s T20I XI. There are several cricketers who have performed well and are putting in a good show for top-order slots. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Ishan Kishan are competing with each other for batting positions, and hence, it becomes difficult. The coming back of Shreyas Iyer will create yet another level of competition as well. However, Gill’s consistency still keeps him in the reckoning. Also Read | Is Ravindra Jadeja Dropped for Good? BCCI’s 2027 World Cup Plans Hint at Big Change Iyer’s Future Depends on Results The captaincy race doesn’t look fully closed yet. According to reports, selectors plan to give Iyer a proper run as captain. That includes key tournaments later this year, so this won’t be a short trial only. His results, plus how he leads, will strongly influence where India goes next in the captaincy plan. If Iyer performs well, he can lock in his position more. But if situations change, Gill could again rise as a leading candidate for the role. For now though, selectors want to let Iyer have enough time before they make any further call. IPL Record Helped Iyer Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently said that Iyer’s leadership record in the IPL was one of the main reasons behind the appointment. Iyer has already shown he can guide teams in high-pressure environments, and he’s produced strong outcomes over time. The selectors felt that kind of experience will help when a squad includes both young energy and senior control. So, it wasn’t about a lack of confidence in Gill, it was more about choosing experience right away. Olympics and Future Plans India’s long-term T20 thinking is also being shaped by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket is set to return to the Games. Since there are several years left, selectors are looking at younger players who can grow into leaders. Gill fits nicely into that thinking, mostly because of his age, his steadiness, and his climbing reputation in international cricket. Many people inside the system also believe his captaincy chance could come later rather than sooner, maybe when the timing feels right. Gill’s Batting Could Help His Cause And there’s another reason why Gill still stays valuable to the selectors, his batting. With the next T20 World Cup scheduled in Australia and New Zealand, India may need someone who can hold an innings together when conditions get awkward. Gill has shown he can do that in different formats, so he ticks that box too. At the same time, selectors will keep tracking leadership options as they get ready for future tournaments, because planning never really stops. For now, Shreyas Iyer starts his journey as India’s T20I captain. But Shubman Gill remains very much part of India’s long-term leadership roadmap, and his wait for a captaincy opportunity may only be temporary.