Virat Kohli has backed Shubman Gill’s leadership, describing the India captain as a young leader who is still learning but already possesses the right mindset and intensity to lead the team across Tests and ODIs. Speaking to JioStar ahead of India’s first ODI against West Indies on September 27, Kohli discussed Gill’s development as captain and the clarity he brings to the team.

“Shubman, the captain, is still learning. He is still young in the role, but he has got the right perspective and the right kind of intensity to lead the Indian team,” Virat Kohli said.

The former India captain added that Gill already has a clear understanding of how he wants the team to operate on the field. However, Kohli noted that leadership naturally improves with experience, particularly when dealing with different match situations and making important decisions under pressure.

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“With more experience and understanding situations, the kind of calls you take are things that he will keep working on and improving, which everyone does in a leadership role,” Virat Kohli added.

Meanwhile, Kohli has continued to make a strong impact in ODI cricket. The veteran batter has scored three centuries, an innings in the 90s and four fifties across his last 10 ODIs, highlighting his consistency in the format.

Kohli also explained how his mindset has changed since becoming a one-format international player. The 38-year-old said he has consciously tried to approach batting with greater freedom while reducing the pressure created by outside expectations.

“What has changed is, firstly, I promised myself that I am going to play more freely. I am not going to worry about the expectations that people might have around me,” Virat Kohli said.

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He explained that he previously focused heavily on stabilising innings, particularly in challenging conditions. While he always knew he had the ability to attack, the demands of the situation often influenced how aggressively he approached his batting. Kohli’s comments underline his evolving role in India’s ODI setup as the team enters a new leadership phase under Gill.