Shubman Gill, India’s ODI skipper, has once again underlined the immense value that senior players bring to the national side, calling Rohit Sharma one of the greatest openers of all time and hailing Virat Kohli as the finest ODI batter the game has ever seen. Speaking ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, Gill admitted that having legends like Rohit and Kohli in the dressing room significantly eases the burden on a captain, especially during high-pressure moments.
Addressing the media at the pre-match press conference in Vadodara, Gill spoke with maturity well beyond his years, highlighting how the experience of Rohit and Kohli acts as a safety net for younger leaders. According to Gill, the duo’s calmness, clarity of thought, and deep understanding of match situations allow captains to lean on their judgement when the game is on the line.
“The two names you’ve mentioned — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — are among the very best the game has seen. Rohit is one of the greatest openers of all time, and Virat bhai is the greatest ODI batter ever,” Shubman Gill said. “When you have players like them in your team, it definitely makes your life easier as a captain.”
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Gill elaborated on how invaluable their presence is during crunch phases. “They have been in tough situations countless times across conditions and countries. You can always walk up to them, understand how they’re thinking, and that insight is extremely valuable for any captain,” he added.
While much of the spotlight remains on the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is less than a month away, the immediate focus will be on the three ODIs against New Zealand. Rohit and Kohli are expected to dominate headlines, especially after both found solid form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, featuring in two matches each and scoring heavily to silence any doubts about their readiness.
For Gill, the series carries personal significance. Having recently been left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad despite being the T20I vice-captain, the young skipper has chosen to remain grounded and philosophical. Injuries and a dip in T20I form played a role in his exclusion, but Gill made it clear that he is not dwelling on what he cannot control.
“I always try to live in the moment. It makes life much simpler,” Shubman Gill said candidly. “Whatever is written in my destiny, no one can take that away from me. As players, we always give our best for the country, and the selectors have taken their decision.”
Gill’s numbers in T20Is — 869 runs in 36 matches at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 138.59 — reflect promise, even if consistency remains a work in progress. Despite the setback, he continues to lead India in the longer formats and remains focused on contributing wherever the team needs him.
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Looking ahead to the New Zealand series, Gill recalled fond memories of his ODI debut against the same opposition. “The last time we played ODIs against New Zealand, I made my debut, and that’s something I’ll always cherish,” he said. He also pushed back against the notion that ODIs are an “easy” format. “If it were easy, India would have won more World Cups since 2011. No format is easy — it takes effort, resilience, and determination.”
India begin the ODI series on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara, followed by limited-overs action that will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup starting February 7.
