PERTH [Australia]: India’s white-ball tour of Australia begins with a three-match ODI series in Perth, and young batter Shubman Gill will take the captain’s role while seeking guidance from former skippers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Ahead of the series, Gill shared his thoughts on leading two of India’s most experienced players and how he plans to learn from them.
Gill honours Rohit and Kohli’s experience
Speaking to Star Sports, Shubman Gill said it is a “big honour” to lead legends he idolised as a child. “These are the players I used to idolise when I was a kid, and the kind of hunger that they had was something that inspired me. It is a big honour for me to be able to lead such legends of the game and learn from them,” he said.
Gill added that whenever he faces difficult situations on the field, he will not hesitate to seek suggestions or advice from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. “Even in this series, there will be so many instances where I think I will be able to learn from their experience,” he added.
Learning from leadership qualities
Gill noted that the way Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli communicate with players and manage team dynamics has had a strong influence on him. “There are some things that I observed as a player, and really liked when I was playing under them. How they converse and what kind of communication or messaging they had with the players is something that helped me get the best out of myself,” he said.
As a captain, Gill said he aims to emulate this leadership style. “I want to be the kind of leader where all my players feel secure, and the communication with what I want from them is clear,” he explained.
Emphasising experience and mentorship
Gill highlighted the immense experience Rohit and Kohli bring to the team. “They are people who have won so many matches in the past. They have been playing for India for the past 10-15 years; the experience they bring to the table is something every captain and every team wants,” he said.
He further praised Rohit Sharma’s calmness and camaraderie. “So many qualities that I have inherited from Rohit bhai – the calmness that he possesses, and the kind of friendship he has among the group – are qualities I aspire to. These are the qualities I want to take from him,” Gill added.
Looking ahead to the Australia series
Gill’s comments came after India’s 2-0 series win against West Indies in New Delhi, signalling that the team is in good form ahead of the Australian ODIs. The young captain stressed that the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be invaluable as India aims to perform strongly in challenging overseas conditions.
Conclusion:
Shubman Gill’s leadership in Australia marks a significant milestone in his career. With guidance from two of India’s most successful cricketers, Gill aims to combine youthful energy with the mentorship of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India to success in the ODI series.