"Had thought about him right from 2023" - Former national selector’s huge revelation on Shubman Gill being appointed Team India captain

Former national selector Salil Ankola opened up on Shubman Gill being made India captain. Gill was named Test skipper ahead of the England tour in 2025. He was given ODI captaincy ahead of the recent Australia series.

Ankola was the national selector from 2023 to August 2024. He revealed that the committee looked at Gill as the future leader from 2023. Ankola added that suggestions were taken from the coach, captain, and former cricketers.

"We always thought Gill would become the captain. We had thought about him right from 2023 that he would take the reins in his hand. Selectors do take suggestions, I am saying it again, not only from the coach and captain, but there are other senior players. They also thought he is the right guy. Even those who have retired earlier," he said in an exclusive interview with Vickey Lalwani.

Ankola praised Gill for proving his worth in England. India drew the five-Test series 2-2. Gill slammed 750 runs with four hundreds.

"It is a collective decision. Everyone felt it, and he proved it in England. Everyone felt it, and he proved it in England. What a series he had. In such pressure, if he scores 750 runs in England, that shows his mental capacity. People will tell someone else should have been captain, bring someone back. Human is a very unsatisfied soul. Whatever good you do, they will find something bad in it. People think like they know everything," he added.

Ankola also opened up on Team India legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With questions around their future in the team, he reckoned that they would decide for themselves. He added that no one could tell them anything.

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Salil Ankola on the current India Head Coach

Salil Ankola also commented on the current India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, calling him a 'good guy'. He hailed Gambhir for being frank and level-headed and defended the Head Coach. Gambhir has been heavily criticised after India's 0-2 whitewash against South Africa in the home Test series.

"Gambhir is a good guy. He's a strong head. He is very frank. He has played with so many boys, and he is not too old. I interacted with him for my last two selections. After the T20 World Cup, we had selected a side. Seems to be very level-headed. I think he will do good things. People's job is to talk about things. I disagree because I have been there. Let people talk. They used to talk about me also," he stated.

Ankola also expressed his disappointment with star India batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer's not being in the Asia Cup 2025. He clarified that the selection committee picked the squad eventually and not the coach.

"I am sad about the fact that two proven people, proven players, have been omitted, and newcomers have been taken. But selection is part of the selectors. Coaching is part of the coach. Suggestions are taken from the coach and the captain. But as a previous selector, I feel Yashasvi and Shreyas should have been there in the side. Only suggestions are asked, but in the end, it is the selection committee that decides the team."

India beat Pakistan in the final by five wickets to win the tournament undefeated.