New Chandigarh:India ODI captain Shubman Gill has thrown his support behind veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, making it clear that he continues to have complete faith in the experienced duo despite ongoing debate over their future in 50-over cricket.
Gill made the remarks after India lost the third ODI against the West Indies by five wickets in New Chandigarh on October 3. India had already secured the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two games, but the final match brought renewed questions about the roles of Kohli and Rohit as India prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Both senior batters had made important contributions during the series. Kohli scored an unbeaten century in the opening ODI, while Rohit followed with a century in the second match. In the third ODI, Rohit narrowly missed another hundred, falling for 92.
Gill praises Kohli, Rohit and KL Rahul
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gill was asked about the performances of Kohli and Rohit and the possibility of giving younger players more opportunities.
The India captain strongly backed the senior pair, pointing to their recent performances and their importance to the team’s batting unit. He also highlighted the contribution of another experienced player, KL Rahul, who has stepped up whenever given an opportunity.
Gill said Kohli and Rohit had been batting “really well” and noted Rohit’s recent run of form. He also praised Rahul for contributing strongly whenever required.
The comments came at a time when the age and future of India’s two most experienced ODI batters have been the subject of considerable discussion. Kohli is 37, while Rohit is 39, leading to questions about how long they will continue in India’s ODI plans.
Gill’s response, however, suggested that the immediate focus within the team is on performance, experience and building the strongest possible combination for the World Cup rather than making changes simply because of age.
No time for unnecessary experimentation
One of the most significant points in Gill’s response was his view that India does not have enough ODI matches available to spend too much time experimenting.
With the 2027 World Cup approaching, the captain indicated that India needs to begin settling on the combination it wants to take into the tournament.
Gill said there was “not that much time to experiment” and stressed the importance of getting the available players together and starting to play with the combination the team hopes to use at the World Cup.
That approach could have implications for Kohli and Rohit, both of whom remain central figures in India’s ODI batting plans.
Rather than rotating the senior players simply to create opportunities for younger batters, Gill’s comments indicate that the team wants to use its remaining ODI fixtures to develop a settled unit.
Kohli and Rohit have delivered in the series
The performances of the two veterans against the West Indies also provide context for Gill’s stance.
Kohli began the ODI series with an unbeaten century, providing India with a strong contribution at the top of the order. Rohit then responded with a century in the second ODI as India successfully chased a target of 406 in Guwahati.
India won that match by eight wickets, with Gill himself producing an unbeaten 223. Rohit’s century and Gill’s huge score formed the foundation of a dominant chase.
In the third ODI, Rohit again made a substantial contribution, scoring 92 before being dismissed. Although India eventually lost the match by five wickets, the series had already been secured.
The performances of the two veterans therefore gave Gill reason to remain confident in their ability to contribute at the highest level.
Gill has previously praised the senior duo
Gill’s latest comments are consistent with his earlier views about Kohli and Rohit.
Ahead of the West Indies series, the India captain said he felt extremely fortunate to have both players in the team. He described Kohli as one of the best ODI batters and Rohit as one of the best ODI openers in the world. Gill also stressed the value of their experience and the moments they have shared during their careers.
Gill has also made it clear that his reliance on experienced players does not mean he ignores advice from the rest of the squad.
He previously explained that he seeks opinions from players such as KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer as well. According to Gill, he listens to different viewpoints before deciding what is best for the team in a particular situation.
That approach reflects the balancing act facing Gill as India’s ODI captain. He has to develop his own leadership style while managing a dressing room that includes some of the country’s most experienced international cricketers.
Strong performances ease immediate concerns
The West Indies series has provided encouraging signs for India’s top order despite the loss in the final ODI.
Gill himself has been in outstanding form in 2026. Before the third ODI, he had accumulated 894 runs in 10 innings at an average of 127.71, with three centuries and five fifties.
His unbeaten 223 in the second ODI further underlined his importance to the team.
At the same time, Kohli and Rohit have shown that they can still produce major innings in ODI cricket. Their contributions mean India currently has considerable experience at the top of the batting order, alongside Gill’s younger leadership.
The challenge for the team will be to maintain that balance while ensuring that younger players also receive opportunities before the World Cup.
World Cup planning now becomes the priority
India’s next ODI assignment is against New Zealand, with the team expected to have roughly a month before the next 50-over series begins.
That window gives the management time to assess players, but Gill’s comments suggest that the emphasis will increasingly shift towards finalising the core combination.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be a major target for the current group, and having experienced players such as Kohli and Rohit available could provide India with both batting depth and leadership within the dressing room.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had also previously emphasised the importance of Kohli and Rohit’s experience, saying senior players can help guide Gill as captain.
The message from the Indian camp is therefore increasingly consistent: the veterans are not being viewed merely through the lens of their age but also through their current form, experience and ability to contribute to the team’s plans.
Gill’s message to critics
Gill’s latest comments effectively provide a response to those questioning whether Kohli and Rohit should be rested or replaced in India’s ODI setup.
The captain did not suggest that the team should hold on to the veterans simply because of their reputations. Instead, his argument was based on their recent performances and the limited number of ODI matches available before the World Cup.
With both players contributing runs against the West Indies, Gill appears keen to maintain continuity rather than make changes for the sake of experimentation.
For India, the immediate priority will now be to identify and strengthen the combination that can deliver at the 2027 World Cup. If Kohli and Rohit continue producing performances of the kind they have shown against the West Indies, the debate surrounding their place in the side is unlikely to disappear completely, but their performances will provide the strongest argument for their continued selection.
The West Indies series may have ended with a defeat in the final ODI, but India’s 2-1 series victory and the form of its senior batters have given Gill a clear reason to remain confident in his experienced stars.