India’s new Test skipper, Shubman Gill, has paid an emotional tribute to two stalwarts of modern Indian cricket—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—following their recent retirements from Test cricket. In a touching video shared by the BCCI on Instagram, Gill opened up about the profound impact both players have had on him, not just as iconic batters, but also as leaders who helped shape his mindset and approach to the game.
“When I was a kid, I looked up to the legends of Indian cricket. I was fortunate enough to share the dressing room with some of them—Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai, especially,” Shubman Gill said in the video. The 25-year-old, who now shoulders the responsibility of leading India into a new era, described his experience alongside the duo as nothing short of inspirational.
He went on to describe how, despite their vastly different approaches, both Kohli and Rohit worked relentlessly towards the same goal—winning for India. “Virat Bhai was always full of hunger and passion. He wore his heart on his sleeve and wanted to lead from the front,” Gill said, highlighting Kohli’s relentless intensity and desire to perform in pressure situations.
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On the other hand, he portrayed Rohit Sharma as the embodiment of calmness and tactical clarity. “Rohit Bhai might not show it through expressions, but he’s just as aggressive in mindset. He’s very composed and always very clear with his plans and communication. Watching him operate was a learning experience in itself.”
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Gill credited both veterans for imparting invaluable lessons about leadership, particularly in high-stakes matches. Their contrasting yet complementary leadership styles, according to him, provided a rich blueprint that young players like himself can follow.
Towards the end of the video, Gill also acknowledged the influence of Ravichandran Ashwin, placing him alongside Kohli and Rohit as the architects of India’s recent success abroad. “They’ve shown us how to win away from home. That blueprint is now part of our system. It’s one thing to have the talent, but it’s another to know how to apply it overseas,” he noted.
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Gill will next be seen in action on May 25, when his IPL franchise Gujarat Titans face Chennai Super Kings in a key league fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. All eyes will be on the young captain as he continues to evolve both as a leader and as one of India’s premier batters.
