India’s young batting star Shubman Gill has officially stepped into a new role — leading the Indian ODI team after Rohit Sharma. Ahead of the upcoming series against Australia, Gill spoke openly about his excitement, the challenges of captaincy, and how much he values the guidance of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
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Gill said both veterans continue to play a vital part in India’s long-term plans for the 2027 World Cup. “Of course, their experience and contributions are unmatched. There are very few players in the world who have achieved what they have for India,” he explained.
He also expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma’s leadership style and the positive team atmosphere he built. “One thing I really want to learn from Rohit Bhai is his calmness. The friendships and unity he created within the team are something I truly look up to,” Gill said.
Gill revealed that he had been informed about his ODI captaincy a few days before the official announcement. “It’s a big honour to lead my country. I’m very excited about what lies ahead. I want to stay focused on the present and aim to win everything that’s coming up,” he added.
While Gill now captains India in both Tests and ODIs, he acknowledged that managing his workload is crucial. “Physically I feel fine most of the time, but mentally it can get tiring. The expectations I have from myself are high. I want to succeed in all three formats and help India win ICC titles,” he admitted.
The 25-year-old also spoke about his working relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir, who took charge recently. Gill described their partnership as simple and effective. “Our conversations are mostly about how to make players feel secure and how to maintain a consistent core group of 15–18 players. We also focus on building a strong pool of fast bowlers who can adapt well to conditions in countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand,” he said.
Gill’s leadership journey comes at a time when India is balancing experience and youth across formats. Under his captaincy, the team hopes to maintain the winning momentum that began with a dominant Test victory over the West Indies. The next Test of that series begins on October 10 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.