Star batter Virat Kohli offered a strong vote of confidence for Shubman Gill’s captaincy, acknowledging that while the young leader is still evolving, he possesses the ideal mindset to take Indian cricket forward
Speaking to JioStar ahead of India's first ODI against the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kohli heaped praise on Gill’s leadership qualities.
"Shubman, the captain, is still learning. He is still young in the role, but he has got the right perspective and the right kind of intensity to lead the Indian team," Kohli said.
Kohli highlighted that Gill is incredibly clear with his tactical field placements, bowler rotations, and overall strategic execution. The former skipper commended the Gill’s proactive approach, noting that he is never afraid to experiment with unique field settings to pressure the opposition or actively think a step ahead to get batters out.
While acknowledging that tactical decision-making naturally sharpens with match experience, Kohli emphasized that Gill has the genuine desire to lead India successfully for a very long time.
"He (Gill) has got his plans very clear in terms of how he looks at us operating in the field. Of course, with more experience and understanding situations, the kind of calls you take are things that he will keep working on and improving, which everyone does in a leadership role," Kohli stated.
"But he has got the desire to lead the Indian cricket team in the right way, which is the most important factor. So, I see him leading for a long time, and he will be absolutely fine," he added.
"He thinks of ways to get batters out in the field, which is always a sign of doing something different or staying a step ahead. He is not shy to use different kinds of fields, put guys under pressure, communicate the same to the bowlers, and bring in a certain kind of bowling attack," he remarked.
The upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies represents a crucial building block for India’s white-ball squad structure ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Africa next year.
Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, senior figures like Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to provide a strong backbone for the young captain on the field.
After the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram, the two will teams will travel to Guwahati for the second ODI on September 30 while the series finale will be held in New Chandigarh on October.
