India's ODI captain, Shubman Gill, has stressed that the experience of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continues to be a priceless asset for the team as India prepare for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting Sunday in Vadodara. Gill said clearly that the influence of the senior duo remains crucial to India’s approach.
"One is one of the greatest openers of all time in ODIs, and Virat Bhai is one of the greatest ODI batsmen ever, so definitely when you have these two people in your team, it makes your life a lot more easier," Gill said at the press conference.
“If you are in a tough situation, they always have been in those kind of situation and conditions many times in their life, so you can always go to them and see how they are thinking or what they would do and that piece of information is very valuable for any captain," he said.
Gill also addressed his omission from India’s T20I World Cup squad, saying he respected the selectors’ decision.
“Firstly, my belief is that in my life, I am right where I have to be and whatever things are written in my destiny, I think no one can take those things from me. Obviously, as a player, you have a belief that if you play in the World Cup, you will win it for your team, for your country. Having said that, I respected the selectors’ decision and am wishing the T20 team all the very best. I really, really hope that they win the World Cup for us," Gill said.
Gill also expressed frustration at missing the recent assignment against South Africa due to a neck spasm.
“Obviously, (it’s) never easy, especially when you get injured, watching your team play and you feel like you’re missing out on all those games, especially when you’ve just been named the ODI captain. There are so many things you want to do. It's definitely very frustrating."