India captain Shubman Gill is set to make his highly anticipated return to international cricket in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. This series carries extra weight as it marks India’s final assignment in the 50-over format before the national team shifts its primary focus toward T20Is. Interestingly, while Gill currently finds himself outside of the T20I selection mix, he has solidified his standing in the longer formats, holding the captaincy for both the ODI and Test squads.
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Shubman Gill on India's dressing room atmosphere
Under Gill's leadership, the team continues to rely heavily on the veteran presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both stalwarts remain integral to India’s 50-over strategy and have shown no signs of slowing down. However, their continued involvement has been accompanied by growing external speculation regarding their dynamic with the current coaching staff, spearheaded by Gautam Gambhir. As the team transitions through this leadership phase, the synergy between these legendary seniors and the new coaching regime remains a major point of interest for fans and analysts alike.
"A lot of things are being said and written about the relationship between senior players and the coaching staff. How are things on that front?," Gill was quizzed by a reporter in the pre-match press conference.
"I think the team atmosphere is amazing. The players that you named have been in this atmosphere for decades, and they are the people who always try to push Indian cricket forward. And I think even in the last series, you saw how well they performed. So I think the atmosphere in the team is great right now," Gill replied.
In a recent follow-up, Gill reiterated that the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad makes a captain’s responsibilities much more manageable. He emphasized that their presence provides a unique strategic advantage, allowing him to consult with them whenever the team faces a complex or high-pressure scenario.
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Rohit and Virat makes captain's life easier: Shubman Gill
Gill noted that because the two veterans have navigated similar challenges countless times throughout their careers, their input on decision-making is incredibly valuable. For a younger captain, being able to tap into their seasoned perspective and 'pick their brains" serves as a critical resource for making the right tactical calls in the heat of a match.
"Among the two players you have named, one is one of the greatest openers (Rohit) of all time in ODIs, and Virat bhai is one of the greatest ODI batsmen ever. So definitely, having these two people in your team makes your life a lot easier, and whenever you are in a challenging situation, you can go to them for input. Because they have often been in those situations, you can go to them to see how they think or what they would do. That piece of information is very valuable for any captain," Gill further stated.