The Men’s ODI World Cup is still well over two years away. Shubman Gill, India’s Test skipper and newly appointed 50-over captain, has shared his thoughts on the team.
He hinted that batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will remain central to India’s plans.
Both Kohli and Rohit have retired from T20Is and Tests. They will join the India squad and travel to Australia on October 15.
For a three-game series starting four days later in Perth. “Yes, of course, the experience that both of us have and all the matches that they have won for India, there are very few players who have won so many matches for India.”
Gill spoke in the pre-match press conference ahead of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.
He said, “Very few players in the world have the same skill, quality, and experience as these players. I truly admire what they bring to the team.” In that respect, “I am very happy.”
Gill also said he hopes to carry forward the ‘calmness’ that Rohit, who captained India to T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy victories, instils in the 50-over dressing room.
“There are so many qualities that I have inherited from Rohit bhai – one is the calmness that he possesses, and the kind of friendship that he fosters among the group is something that I aspire to have. These are the qualities that I want to take from him,” he added.
Shubman Gill said he feels honoured to lead the national side in ODIs. The Board had named him Test captain in May.
Gill said, “It was announced in the middle of a Test match (after the game was over in Ahmedabad), but I got to know a little bit before that.”
He added, “It obviously is a big responsibility and an even bigger honour. So, very excited to lead my country in that format. Yes, the last few months have been very exciting for me. But I’m really looking forward to what the future has.”
Further, he said, “I want to stay as present as possible and don’t really want to look back on what I’ve or as a team, we have been able to achieve. Just want to look forward and win everything that we have in the upcoming months.”