Shubman Gill explains how Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli make captain's life easier ahead of IND vs NZ 1st ODI

Ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand, captain Shubman Gill highlighted about the immense value of having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad. He noted that the presence of these two senior stalwarts significantly simplifies the challenges of leading at the highest level, providing a level of stability that is hard to replicate.

Shubman Gill credits Rohit, Kohli for stress-free captaincy in ODIs

During a pre-match press conference in Vadodara, Gill explained that the duo acts as a vital safety net during high-pressure moments. Their collective experience and composed demeanor allow younger leaders to rely on their elite game awareness and tactical judgment when the stakes are highest. For Gill, having such seasoned veterans in the dressing room is not just a comfort, but a distinct competitive advantage for the team.

“The two names that you have taken — one is one of the greatest openers of all time, Rohit Sharma, and Virat bhai is one of the greatest ODI batters ever. So definitely, when you have these two in your team, it makes your life easier," Gill said at the pre-match press conference.

"Whenever you are in a tough situation, they have been in those kinds of situations and conditions many times in their life, so you can always go to them and see how they are thinking and what they would do, and that piece of information is very valuable for any captain," he added.

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RO-KO's red-hot form in ODIs

Both Rohit and Kohli are slated to return to ODI action on January 11 against New Zealand, carrying significant momentum from their recent international outings. Their dominance was on full display during India’s previous assignments against Australia and South Africa; Rohit secured the Player of the Series award in Australia, while Kohli earned the same distinction during the home series against South Africa.

Statistically, the duo remains in a league of their own. Kohli dominated the South Africa series as the leading run-scorer, piling up 302 runs featuring two centuries and a match-defining unbeaten 65. Rohit provided the essential firepower at the top of the order, notably anchoring the team with a fluent 75 in the third ODI. This clinical form has translated directly to the record books, with Rohit currently holding the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings and Kohli following closely in second.

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The veterans also took their elite form into the domestic circuit, delivering standout performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kohli made headlines by smashing 131 off 101 balls against Andhra Pradesh, a feat that saw him overtake Sachin Tendulkar as the fastest player to reach 16,000 List A runs, achieving the milestone in just 330 innings. He followed this with a Player of the Match-winning 77 against Gujarat. Rohit similarly electrified the domestic scene, treating fans in Jaipur to a spectacular 155 off 94 balls for Mumbai. Despite a rare golden duck against Uttarakhand, the immense public demand to see him play, with fans queuing as early as 6 am.