India’s Test captain Shubman Gill is honoured to get the leadership role in ODIs as well, succeeding ICC Champions Trophy 2025-winning skipper Rohit Sharma. Gill said that he knew about the ODI captaincy beforehand even if it was announced in the middle of first Test of the two-Test series against West Indies. He is focussing on the way forward ahead of the white-ball tour against Australia, featuring three ODIs.
“It was announced in the middle of a Test match but I already knew it. It is an honour, the last three months have been great for me. We have achieved a lot as a team and would like to focus on that going forward,” Gill said in the pre-match press conference at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on October 9.
ALSO READ: Retired from T20Is to prolong Test career, Mitchell Starc signs deal for BBL return after 11 years
Rohit-Kohli in Gill’s World Cup 2027 plans
Gill getting ODI captaincy led to speculations about Rohit and Virat Kohli’s future. While chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that the senior duo were “non-committal’ towards ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Gill said that they are in the mix.
“Rohit and Kohli have won India a lot of matches, they have the quality and skill. They are surely there in the mix for next World Cup,” Gill told the reporters.
Gill on his conversations with Gambhir
Gill enjoys a good working relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir. He said that the conversations between them are only about the game, especially about developing a pool of fast bowlers.
“My relationship is simple with him (GG). We always discuss cricket, one main thing is that we discuss is how to develop fast bowlers. We have a great pool already and it’s just how we develop it,” the 26-year-old said.
Gill is set to make his ODI captaincy debut on October 19 at Perth Stadium. After a 2-2 draw on his Test captaincy debut on England soil, his captaincy will be tested against the current ODI World Champions. However, this time he will have the support of former captains Rohit and Kohli.