Gill On Leading Kohli And Rohit: ‘I Used To Idolise Them, So It’s…’ | Cricket News

(From left) Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (PTI Photo)

Indian captain Shubman Gill said it would be his ‘honor’ to lead Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs, starting from the three-match series against Australia that begins on Sunday (October 19). He said the duo were among his idols when he was a kid, and now he won’t be coy to use their help whenever needed.

Gill has been thrown into the deep end quite quickly. This time last year, he was fighting to cement his place in all three formats, and now he’s the Test and ODI captain and the natural heir in T20Is, too. Then, leadership in the 50-over format has come with the extra burden of dethroning Rohit, who the selectors felt was no longer the best option for the buildup towards the 2027 World Cup, but still remains a hugely popular figure.

“Obviously, when I was kid, I used to idolise them for the game they played and hunger they had which inspired me. It is a big honor for me to lead such legends of the game. When I am in a difficult situation, I wouldn’t shy away from getting any suggestions from them,” Gill said in the pre-series press conference, with the same touch of grace that’s slowly becoming his trademark.

Gill suggested his captaincy style will be inspired by the legends, too.

“There are some things I observed and really liked as a player when I played under them. How they converse and what kind of messaging helped me get the best out of myself when I played under them. That’s the kind of captain I would want to be where all my players feel secure, and the job they have to do and communications would be clear,” he said.

Gill added that he has learned a lot from how the duo has ‘served’ Indian cricket for two decades and that he’s eager to take that experience in his stride.

‘My best game comes out under pressure’: Gill

Amid the clamor of captaincy, this tour will be important for Gill to further establish his authority as one of the best ODI batters of this generation. And he seems to be making sure not to let that be forgotten.

“I like when I am entrusted with extra responsibility. I thrive under pressure, my best game comes out. But when I bat, I think as a batter and then I take best decisions. As a batter, I try not to think like a skipper as then you take more pressure on yourself and you might end up losing freedom of playing your shots and lose the ‘X factor’.”

As far as starts could go in managing not just the country’s team but also two of India’s biggest superstars with mountainous personalities, Gill seems to be doing well.