India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill praised the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite Ajit Agarkar avoiding discussion of their future.
Shubman Gill Backs Rohit and Kohli While Agarkar Focuses on Immediate Goals
Last Sunday, after Shubman Gill was named India’s next One-Day International captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar sidestepped questions about the future of Gill’s predecessor, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, who Rohit succeeded as India’s all-format skipper in March 2022.
Rohit and Kohli, two of India’s finest 50-over batters, were included in the 15-man squad for the upcoming Australia tour. Agarkar, however, avoided discussing long-term plans. “What we are looking from them is what they’ve been doing for years, which is trying to score runs. They’re still leaders in the dressing room. But eventually, it’s the runs,” he said. “And they’ve scored tons of it, both of them. We have picked them (for the Australia series). As far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned, I don’t think we need to talk about it today.”
Agarkar’s caution is understandable. Two years is a long time, and both players are on the older side—Rohit will be nearly 40½ and Kohli will turn 39 during the tournament. Predicting form, fitness, or injury-free performance this far ahead is difficult.
Shubman Gill, in his first media interaction as ODI captain, could have chosen diplomacy when asked about Rohit and Kohli’s World Cup prospects. Instead, he spoke candidly, praising their enduring contributions. “Yes, definitely,” he replied. “The experience that both of them have and the matches that they have won for India, there are very few players who have won so many matches for India. Players who have such skills and qualities, with the experience (that they possess) are very few. There are very few players in the world who have so much skill, quality and experience. So, in that sense, yes.”
Shubman Gill’s composure and willingness to front challenging questions signal his emergence as a confident leader, respecting the legends while establishing his own authority.
Are Shubman Gill and Ajit Agarkar/Gautam Gambhir on the same page?
It might be tempting to view Gill’s endorsement of Rohit and Kohli as at odds with Ajit Agarkar’s (and likely head coach Gautam Gambhir’s) long-term blueprint, but a closer look suggests otherwise. Gill carefully considers his responses and clearly believes that both veterans still have much to contribute to Indian cricket.
However, this doesn’t guarantee them spots in the 15-player World Cup squad. Rather, it signals that the door is open for now—a nuance Agarkar deliberately avoided mentioning just days earlier. This doesn’t mean Gill is operating on a separate agenda; both he and the management are aligned on India’s broader goals.
Rohit and Kohli themselves are well aware that past achievements do not ensure automatic selection. They will need to maintain form, fitness, and motivation over the next two years leading up to the World Cup, despite a reduced number of ODIs compared to T20Is. Gill is preparing for the best-case scenario, as is Agarkar: a team featuring both legends in peak condition would be formidable, and if not, India has capable alternatives ready.
In essence, all three—Gill, Agarkar, and Gambhir—are focused on keeping options open, ensuring that India fields the strongest possible side when the 50-over World Cup arrives.
