Rohit and Virat will help Gill grow as team captain
The Indian team was training ahead of their opening ODI match against Australia. Virat Kohli was batting with his usual intensity at one wicket. Rohit Sharma was working in the next net. Soon, Shubman Gill, their successor and a man who is yet to make his debut as captain, joined them. This scene is the perfect metaphor for the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket, as Rohit and Virat will help Gill grow as team captain.
Ideal conditions for growth
Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel believes there’s no better situation for a young captain than the one Gill finds himself in. Having two former national team leaders at his side is the best thing imaginable for any new captain. “He’s in a perfect position,” Akshar shares. “Their experience and their advice will definitely help Shubman grow in this role.”
After a break from international action since winning the Champions Trophy, Kohli and Sharma looked not just focused but truly ready in training. “They’ve done a tremendous job at the NCA, and from what we’ve seen, they’re in great shape, both physically and technically,” Akshar emphasizes. Their return brings that sense of confidence to the team that’s so difficult to measure, but without which major tournaments can’t be won.
And while the veterans prepare to prove their worth, the main question was whether Gill could handle the pressure. But Akshar dispels these doubts: ” He doesn’t look overloaded. He has a clear head and is open to suggestions.” It seems Gill isn’t just wearing the captain’s armband, he’s genuinely enjoying his new role and learning, not particularly bothered by outside noise.
Training sessions are surprisingly easy and relaxed. Kohli is still the same fighter he always was, but outside of training, he’s become the life of the party. After his 40-minute session on Friday, he was cracking jokes with his teammates, eliciting bursts of laughter. Isn’t this a sign of a healthy atmosphere in a team entering a new era?
Rohit and Virat will help Gill grow as team captain: new team format
Of course, it won’t be possible to completely avoid attention to Gill’s person. This ODI series is his chance to begin shaping the lineup as he sees fit, to put his own stamp on the team. And here he can’t do without the help of his senior teammates. “It’s a great experience for Shubman. Rohit and Virat are here, and it’s part of the transition process,” Akshar says. “When young players come alongside experienced ones, they can learn from the seniors, understand how to play at this level, what they can and can’t do. It’s ideal that they’re here and Shubman is the captain. It will help him grow.”
But let’s face it, this three-match series will likely be Kohli and Rohit’s final chord on Australian soil. And their game will be watched with special feeling. However, their presence is like a reliable rear for the future. It takes some of the pressure off Gill, allowing him to settle into his role as India takes its first steps toward the 2027 World Cup.
Akshar Patel recalls his first visit to Australia in 2015 for the World Cup and notes how much the Indian team’s approach to the local conditions has changed. Previously, all the talk was about how to deal with bounce and speed. Now, after many tours, the team has adapted. “Now we talk more about tactics, about how to outplay the opponent,” he says.
So what do we see? This isn’t just a captaincy change, but the emergence of a new philosophy. Rohit and Virat will help Gill grow as team captain; the wisdom and experience of these two giants serves as a support for the talent and ambition of the new leader. A team that no longer fears difficult conditions, but thinks about how to outsmart the opponent. And if Akshar’s words are any indication, we’re looking at not just a strong team, but a truly smart one.
