Mohammad Kaif believes Shubman Gill's biggest test as ODI captain will be managing the bowling attack, not handling senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Shubman Gill has taken over as India's ODI captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the 50-over format. The 26-year-old now leads India towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Under his leadership, India recently suffered a 2-1 defeat against England in the United Kingdom in a three-match ODI series in England.
Mohammad Kaif has outlined what he believes will be Gill's primary test as captain. According to Kaif, the focus should not be on Gill's ability to manage senior players like Kohli and Rohit, but rather on how he handles the bowling attack.
The cricketer-turned-expert expects clarity on India's team combination and playing XI to emerge after the New Zealand ODIs. The conditions in New Zealand will provide insights into which batters perform well and which XI works best for the team. This information will then help India prepare for the different conditions they will face in South Africa during the World Cup. India's first ODI against West Indies was scheduled for September 27.
"According to conditions, we have heard that it will be different in South Africa. There will be similarities in New Zealand so we will know there as to which batter is doing well. Playing there will help in knowing what the combination and XI can be. I think these things will become clear after the New Zealand ODIs," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
"The biggest test for Gill is not handling Virat and Rohit, even though the focus is on them. My focus is on how he will handle the bowling. Without Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep, we gave away so many runs in that lost ODI in England. So sorting out the bowling is the biggest challenge," he added.
India's upcoming ODI assignment is the three-match series at home against the West Indies. The first ODI will be held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27.