India will begin their ODI series against Australia in Perth on October 19, with the focus on their experienced players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The series will also mark a new chapter with Shubman Gill taking over as India’s new ODI captain, raising questions about the future of the senior players in the format.
Focus on the Present
Ahead of the series, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir urged fans and analysts to focus on the present, rather than speculating about the 2027 World Cup. Speaking after India’s 2-0 series victory over the West Indies, Gambhir highlighted the importance of the current ODI series in Australia.
“The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It’s important to stay in the present. Kohli and Rohit are quality players. Their experience will be crucial in Australia. Hopefully, they have a successful tour more importantly, we hope the team has a successful series,” Gambhir said.
Shubman Gill’s Leadership
Gambhir also expressed confidence in Shubman Gill’s leadership, pointing to his performance in India’s 2-2 draw against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as evidence of his potential.
“He deserves it. He’s worked hard, he ticks all the boxes says the right things, leads by example, puts in the work. As a coach, that’s all I can ask for,” Gambhir noted. Reflecting on the challenges Gill faced leading an inexperienced Indian team in England, Gambhir acknowledged the difficulty of the series. “That was the toughest test five matches over two and a half months against a strong England side with an inexperienced Indian team. He led from the front.”
Gill not only impressed as a captain but also with the bat, scoring an extraordinary 754 runs, including a career-best 269. Gambhir praised the impact of Gill’s leadership, noting, “Yes, scoring runs earns respect, but so does doing and saying the right things. The way the team responded to his leadership shows his impact.”
Gill on Rohit and Kohli
In a recent interview with Star Sports, Gill shared his admiration for the senior players, particularly Rohit and Kohli. He acknowledged their significant contributions to Indian cricket over the past 10-15 years, calling their experience invaluable.
“They’ve won so many games for India over the past 10 15 years. Their experience is invaluable every captain wants that. We’re looking forward to them doing their magic in Australia,” said Gill.
Gill also credited Rohit for shaping his own leadership style. “I’ve inherited a lot from Rohit bhai especially his calmness and the camaraderie he builds within the group. Those are qualities I aspire to,” Gill added.
As the team gears up for the series, India will be hoping that both their veterans and new leaders can contribute to a successful tour, making the most of their valuable experience while looking ahead to the future.
