As Rohit Sharma nears the twilight of his illustrious career, the question of who will lead the Indian ODI team next is already sparking discussions.

With the need for a long-term vision and consistency in leadership, selectors will be looking for someone not only with strong batting credentials but also with the temperament to guide a high-pressure team like India.

KL Rahul remains one of the strongest contenders. Having led India in ODIs before and with IPL captaincy experience under his belt, he brings a calm head and solid middle-order presence. His leadership during recent tournaments has shown maturity, and his versatility with the bat makes him a dependable option.

Touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has impressed with his consistency and composure at the top. Although relatively young, Gill has shown leadership qualities in domestic cricket and can be groomed under the senior leadership group. He represents the next generation and could be a long-term captaincy solution.

Gill is currently captaining India in IND vs ENG Test series - if his team manages to capture the series, it will be a big boost to his chances of being named Rohit's replacement in the 50-overs format.

While primarily an all-rounder, Hardik’s aggressive mindset and success as T20I captain bring him into the conversation for ODI captaincy. His ability to inspire players and lead by example has been evident in white-ball cricket, especially during crunch moments.

Should Pant return fully fit and regain form, he remains an exciting captaincy option. His fearless style and sharp game awareness make him a natural leader. Already seen as a potential future captain across formats, Pant brings energy and innovation.