Virat Kohli has opened up about the importance of senior players in maintaining a positive atmosphere inside the Indian cricket team, especially during high-pressure matches. The former India captain made the comments while speaking about his camaraderie with current ODI and Test skipper Shubman Gill following their match-winning performances against West Indies in the first ODI.
Gill, who grew up admiring Kohli, was delighted to share the occasion of the veteran batter reaching 15,000 ODI runs. Kohli achieved the milestone during his unbeaten 139-run knock in Thiruvananthapuram, while Gill also played a key role in India’s eight-wicket victory. Gill believes Kohli’s current form reflects the confidence and composure he has displayed away from the cricket field as well.
“We can all see how much Virat bhai is enjoying his batting right now and I think whether he is on the field or off the field, the ease and the confidence that he is batting with right now, it also translates from off-field to on-field,” Shubman Gill said in a BCCI video.
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Kohli, meanwhile, highlighted the responsibility senior cricketers have when it comes to creating a relaxed environment for the younger members of the squad. He also spoke about his long-standing relationship with Gill, whom he has known since the batter entered the Indian team.
“I have known him since the time he came into the team. I have always shared a very free-flowing and fun-filled camaraderie with him. Now, he is in a leadership position,” Virat Kohli said.
When batting together is this much fun, special partnerships follow 🤝
🎥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 & 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞: A wholesome chat with @imVkohli and @ShubmanGill 💙 – By @ameyatilak
🔽 Watch | #TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_
https://t.co/4hQ15cBnTA
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 28, 2026
The former captain added that his own experience as a leader has helped him understand the importance of keeping the dressing room calm. According to Kohli, when senior players remain relaxed, it gives the rest of the team confidence that there is no reason to panic.
“I have been in that position for a long time and now, I am a senior player. So, when senior players or the leaders in the team are smiling, laughing, keeping the environment light, all the other players feel like, yes, there is no problem,” Virat Kohli added.
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Kohli also stressed that staying relaxed does not mean compromising professionalism. Instead, he believes players can enjoy themselves while remaining fully focused once they step onto the field.
“So, it just relaxes all the other guys because we aren’t taking pressure. We are showing that it is fine. We can smile and have a good laugh, but be professional on the field,” Virat Kohli concluded.
