We need them: Gill douses speculation surrounding future of Rohit and Virat Kohli in ODIs
New ODI skipper Shubman Gill says that India need the experience and skill of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in 50-over format.
New Delhi: Shubman Gill, the newly-appointed skipper of the Indian ODI team, seemingly put an end to the speculation surrounding the future of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the pre-match press conference ahead of the second Test against the West Indies on October 10 in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on the eve of the match, Gill hailed the seasoned cricketers and admitted that the team needs the experience and skills of Rohit and Virat, who have won countless matches for Team India.
Team India needs Rohit and Virat, says Gill
The two have won so many games for India. Very few have so much skill and experience. We need them," Gill asserted.
Rohit and Virat have both retired from T20Is and Tests, and speculations surrounding their future in ODIs have been rife. In the same year he led India to ICC Champions Trophy glory, Rohit was replaced as India captain by Gill, marking the beginning of a new era.
However, he was included in the squad alongside Rohit, as both returned to the international fold after a seven-month gap.
It is believed that the spots of Rohit and Virat are up for grabs with several young guns waiting in the wings, ready to take the chance when called upon.
While announcing Gill as the new skipper, chief selector Ajit Agarkar mentioned that both Rohit and Kohli are non-committal about the 2027 ODI World Cup, fuelling further doubts about their future.
"Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are non committal about the 2027 World Cup,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
"They have been doing for years, try and score runs, They are still leaders in the dressing room. They have been extremely successful in this format. This team has been picked for Australia, you don’t need to think too far,” he added.
"Want to imbibe Rohit bhai's calmness"
Meanwhile, Gill also spoke about the learnings he will take from Rohit in his new role as the ODI team's captain. Gill said that he would like to imbibe the "calmness" that Rohit brought to the dressing room when he takes up the role on the Australia tour later this month.
The 25-year-old Gill, who was named Indian Test captain earlier this year, will begin his ODI captaincy stint during a three-match series in Australia from October 19 to 25.
"The calmness of Rohit bhai and the friendships that he created among the group, I want to imbibe that," Gill said on Thursday.