Before going to collect his runners-up medal, an expressionless Virat Kohli extended a quick handshake and embrace to an equally expressionless Shubman Gill. It was the most moving moment of the Indian cricket team’s emotional Sunday night. After failing to win a third World Cup, it was perhaps the most conspicuous evidence of an impending generational transition in Indian cricket. Of course, veterans like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammed Shami will be around for a while longer, but it is now up to a younger generation to lead the team ahead and create a fresh legacy free of the mistakes of the past.

Gill (24), Shreyas Iyer (28), Ishan Kishan (25), Ruturaj Gaikwad (26), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (21) will be joined soon, hopefully, by a recovering Rishabh Pant (26) as India will start preparing for the T20 World Cup 2024 and beyond. These players have significant experience at top-level cricket and have demonstrated their brilliance on multiple occasions, but living up to the legacy of titans like Kohli and Rohit is not an easy assignment.

Shreyas has demonstrated significant dedication and confidence. He appears quite impressive, particularly at the No.4 position. If he keeps up this level of performance, it wouldn’t be astonishing to see him lead the Indian team, especially in white-ball cricket, said Robin Uthappa.

India might not have the services of their big players for a long time now. The authorities will have to plan well in advance for the next three or four years and give consistent chances to young players like Jaiswal and Gaikwad so that they are mentally ready when a big tournament comes around, a former India selector said.