During India’s main training session ahead of the first ODI against Australia, veteran India batter Virat Kohli was having a typically intense net session with Rohit Sharma as well. Soon they were joined in the nets by Shubman Gill, who started preparation ahead of his ODI captaincy debut as a new era begins as well.

“This is a great experience for Shubman too. Rohit bhai and Virat bhai and everyone is here, this is part of the transition process,” left-arm spinning allrounder Axar Patel told reporters in Perth. “You have older players, and if the young players come with their experience, then they can learn from the seniors and understand how to play at this level, what they can do and what they can’t do. It’s perfect that Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are here and Shubman is doing the captaincy. It will help in Shubman’s growth as a captain. It’s good if young and experienced play together.”

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been in a jovial state during the first couple of days of the Australian white-ball tour as well. After his 40-minute net session on Friday, Kohli clearly enjoyed himself with many teammates, leading to much laughter all around.

“They look in good touch in the training sessions. And if you talk about their physical fitness, of course everyone has passed their fitness tests, I think they are ready to go. I am very confident about this series,” Axar, who last played in Australia during the 2022 T20 World Cup, said. “In the Asia Cup, I did well with bat and ball. I am ready for the challenge.”

“If you look at my growth – I came here in 2015 for the first time during the World Cup – I have been with the Indian team regularly in recent years. I know what I have to do. The team relies on me now – ‘it’s Axar, he can get us the results’. If you perform continuously, you get the confidence too. I am more confident now and I know and I can do my bit to win games for my team,” Axar Patel concluded.