Do the ageing superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in India’s ODI plans? It’s a million-dollar question which only the Indian team management can answer. And expectedly, the newly appointed
ODI captain Shubman Gill, whose ascension has triggered intense discussions over the direction in which Team India is headed towards, was asked if his illustrious teammates are still in the scheme of things.
Rohit and Kohli now play in one format for India having retired from Tests and T20Is and neither has played any competitive cricket since IPL 2025. They will be back in action during the Australia ODI series later this month.
Gill, without dwelling too much, cleared the air that both Rohit, whom he replaced as the ODI captain, and Kohli are part of their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“Absolutely. The experience these two have and the matches they’ve won for India – very few match their record. Players of such skills, quality and experience are very few in the world. On that front, we are definitely looking at them (as part of future plans),” Gill told media on the eve of the 2nd Test between India and West Indies in Delhi on Thursday.
Gill said he was told about being handed over the ODI captaincy a bit earlier than the official announcement.
“It was announced after the first Test against West Indies (in Ahmedabad) but I got to know about it a bit earlier. It’s an honour to lead India,” he said.
He also touched on his relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is being called the brain behind the ongoing transition in Indian cricket.
“Our relationship is good. We strike conversations about how to make players secure. Also, we talk about preparing a pool of fast bowlers,” Gill said.
