'Stop the memes, respect the decision': Mohammed Shami backs Shubman Gill as India's new ODI captain

NEW DELHI: Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami has thrown his full support behind Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s new ODI captain, urging fans to stop the online criticism and memes surrounding the change in leadership. The BCCI’s bold move to replace Rohit Sharma with Gill, 26, marks a generational shift aimed at building a team for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The decision, though strategic, sparked heated debates and a flood of memes on social media — with many questioning the timing of the change, given that Rohit led India to glory in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he was also the Player of the Match in the final against New Zealand.




Shami, however, believes the selectors and management made the right call. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Bahut hi zyada memes ban rahe hai is sawal ko leke. (There have been a lot of memes on this question.) I feel there should not be any objection. This is the decision of the BCCI, selectors and coaches. Shubman captained India in England, and he is the skipper of the Gujarat Titans as well. So, he has the experience. Someone had to be given this responsibility, and the BCCI chose Shubman Gill for that, so we should accept it.”

The 35-year-old pacer also reminded fans that captaincy is never permanent in cricket, and that transitions are part of the natural cycle of the game.


“People should not raise questions over the captaincy. This is not in our hands. Someone is the captain today, and there will be someone else tomorrow. This cycle will continue,” Shami said.

Shami himself missed out on the upcoming Australia ODI series, with the selectors preferring Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna in the pace attack. Yet, the Bengal veteran remains focused on his domestic commitments, set to spearhead Bengal’s bowling in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season starting October 15.

As debates rage on over India’s captaincy shuffle, Shami’s message is clear — it’s time to move past memes and stand behind the new leader, as Shubman Gill begins a new chapter in Indian cricket.

Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here