Despite contradicting stories that have been making the rounds on social media in recent weeks, India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill claims that his bond with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is as strong as ever. He also believes that he would not be afraid to approach the two legends if he is in a fix during a match.
The wildly successful Rohit was replaced by Gill as India’s new ODI captain. Since then, there have been a lot of rumors about the two legends’ future. Gill’s first task as captain is to play Australia in a three-match series that begins on Sunday in Perth.
As he stood on the banks of the Swan River, an unusual location for a media conference prior to a game, Gill attempted to allay any misgivings.
“A narrative is run on the outside but nothing has changed in my relationship with Rohit. He is very helpful whenever I feel I need to ask him anything, may be input on nature of the track,” Gill told media on the eve of the series-opener.
“I go and ask ‘What do you think? If you would have been leading what would you do?’ I have great equation with Virat bhai and Rohit bhai and they never hesitate in giving suggestions,” Gill stated in an effort to dispel the myth that the two seniors hadn’t handled the decision well.
The 25-year-old captain is aware that there are “big shoes to fill” and that the two previous captains would need to provide him with a lot of help.
“I have had numerous conversations with Virat bhai and Rohit bhai on how to take team forward. What kind of culture they wanted to take the team forward, and those learnings and experience will help us.
“These are big shoes for me to fill in because of the legacy created by Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), Virat bhai and Rohit bhai, so many experiences and learnings. The kind of experience and skill-set that they bring to the team is massive.”
It was only fitting that Gill grew up on a steady diet of hundreds made by Rohit and Kohli during his formative years, when ODI cricket was still the dominant sport among Indian fans.
“Obviously, when I was kid, I used to idolise them for the game they played and hunger they had which inspired me. It is a big honour for me to lead such legends of the game.
“When I am in a difficult situation I wouldn’t shy away from getting any suggestions from them,” Gill made it apparent how he felt about the two seniors being there.
Gill mentioned “messaging and communication” when asked what particular qualities he would like to inherit from Virat and Rohit.
“There are some things I observed and really liked as a player when I played under them. How they converse and what kind of messaging helped me get the best out of me when I played under them.
“That’s the kind of captain I would want to be where all my players feel secured, and the job they have to do and communications would be clear.”
Experience, as they say, can’t be purchased at the grocery store, and that’s precisely where the duo excels.
“They have served Indian cricket for close to 20 years and I have learnt a lot when I played under them, the experience that they bring can’t be replicated, the runs that they have scored all over world.”
As a player, Gill feels that the more responsibility placed on him, the better he performs.
“I like when I am entrusted with extra responsibility. I thrive under pressure, my best game comes out. But when I bat, I think as a batter and then I take best decisions.
“As a batter, I try not to think like a skipper as then you take more pressure on yourself and you might end up losing freedom of playing your shots and lose the ‘X factor’.”
