Will Shreyas Iyer take over as India’s new ODI captain?

Dubai: Things aren't all bleak for Shreyas Iyer. Although he was overlooked for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE, reports from India suggest the 30-year-old is being considered as a leading candidate for India's ODI captaincy.

According to a source quoted by NDTV, the selectors view Iyer as a potential long-term successor to Rohit Sharma and he could be appointed as captain for the ODI series against Australia in October.

However, this decision will largely depend on Rohit's plans for his future in the format. The 38-year-old, along with Virat Kohli, has already stepped away from Test and T20I cricket.

With a packed international calendar, the BCCI is keen to avoid placing excessive leadership burden on any single player. Shubman Gill, currently the Test captain and a strong contender for the T20I role, is unlikely to be handed the reins across all three formats.

Gill is set to lead the Test side during the two-match home series against the West Indies from October 2 to 14. Shortly after, starting October 18, India will tour Australia for an ODI series followed by five T20Is. While Gill is expected to feature in the T20Is, his inclusion in the ODI squad is not guaranteed.

Following the Australia tour, which concludes on November 8, India will host South Africa for a two-Test series starting November 14, along with limited-overs matches. Given this intense schedule, it would be unrealistic to expect Gill to feature in every match, whether as a captain or even as a player.