Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has expressed strong confidence in Shubman Gill’s ability to replicate his red-ball captaincy success as he prepares to lead India in his first ODI series as skipper. India are set to face Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series on Sunday in Perth. Gill, who made an impressive captaincy debut in the longer format earlier this year, now finds himself at the helm of India's white-ball side after recently being named captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. Gill made an impressive start to his Test captaincy, smashing four centuries, including a double ton, in India's five Tests against England.
"If that happens, I think that's a perfect start as captain for (Shubman Gill) as a captain," Axar Patel told reporters at Perth Stadium on Friday.
"If you see that he's doing well as a captain, he's not getting pressurised for performance, I think that's the good quality of a leader, and I think he can achieve that success in his first ODI series."
Providing a significant boost to Gill’s leadership is the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have already retired from Test and T20I formats. While they have stepped away from Tests and T20Is, both have committed to pushing on in ODIs, at least through to the next World Cup cycle.
"For Gill, it's perfect; Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai are there, and along with that, they have been captains, so they can give their input also, so it is very good for Gill's captaincy to grow," Axar said.