India’s new ODI captain, Shubman Gill, believes that senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have what it takes to continue representing India till the next ODI World Cup in 2027 even if they focus only on one format going forward.
“The experience that both of them have, and all the matches that they have won, there are very few players who have done it for India. I think there are very few players in the world who have the same skill, quality and experience as the two. So, in that sense, we are looking forward to the upcoming Australia series,” said Gill ahead of the second Test against West Indies.
Drawing Inspiration from Rohit Sharma’s Leadership Style
Shubman Gill, who recently made his captaincy debut in Tests during a 2-2 series draw in England, is now gearing up for his first ODI series as skipper. Reflecting on Rohit Sharma’s leadership, Gill shared what he has learned from his predecessor.
“[There are] so many qualities that I inherited from Rohit bhai. First is the calmness that he possesses, and then the kind of friendship that he has among the group is something that I aspire to have…”
No Room for Complacency, Says Shubman Gill
With a dominant win in the first Test against West Indies, expectations are high. However, Shubman Gill made it clear that the team will not be dropping their guard.
“It doesn’t matter who we are playing; we want to play at our own intensity… when you are playing for India, you don’t need external motivation…”
Shubman Gill Weighs In on Two-Tier WTC Debate
Following discussions around a two-tier World Test Championship, Gill suggested that the key to improving Test cricket lies in strengthening red-ball structures, especially in countries struggling to compete at the highest level.
“If your red-ball base is very strong, then ODI and T20 automatically do well… If your focus is only on T20 cricket, then the base from where the game has started is gone…”
Backing Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy
Despite a quiet outing in the first Test, young players Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy continue to have the captain’s trust. Gill urged patience with the rising stars.
“You have to give young players more opportunities… We believe that you have to first see someone’s potential and then see their game in its entirety…”
With strong support for both the veterans and the youngsters, and a steady head on his shoulders, Shubman Gill is shaping up to be a thoughtful and determined leader for Indian cricket’s future.
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