India batting stalwart Virat Kohli has backed Shubman Gill to develop into a strong leader for India, saying the young captain has the right mindset and intensity for the job.
Speaking to JioStar ahead of India’s first ODI against the West Indies on Sunday, September 27, Kohli said Gill is still learning in his Test and ODI captaincy role but has already shown the qualities needed to lead the team.
“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. He (Gill) has his plans very clear in terms of how he looks at us operating in the field,” Kohli said.
Gill is often seen as Kohli’s successor in the Indian team, and the former India captain believes the youngster will keep improving as he gains more experience.
“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 added.
Virat Kohli opens up on change in batting approach
Kohli, who is set to turn 38 soon, has been in excellent form in ODIs. In his last 10 innings in the format, he has scored three centuries, one 90-plus score and four fifties.
Since becoming a one-format player, Kohli has looked more relaxed and confident with the bat. He explained that letting go of expectations has played an important role in that change.
“What has changed is, firstly, I promised myself that I am going to play more freely. I am not going to worry about the expectations that people might have around me,” Kohli said.
Kohli also spoke about how his role in the Indian team had traditionally been to steady the innings, especially when conditions were difficult.
“My role had always been, for a long period of time, that I am going to stabilise things. I know I can play, I know I can hit shots. But the demands are such that if it is a tricky situation and you are playing on a tricky pitch, you eventually get into a space where you are like, I can hit, but I have been given a role,” Kohli added.
IND vs WI ODI series schedule
No. | DAY | Date | Time | Match | Venue |
1 | Sun | 27-Sep-26 | 2:00 PM | 1st ODI | Trivandrum |
2 | Wed | 30-Sep-26 | 2:00 PM | 2nd ODI | Guwahati |
3 | Sat | 03-Oct-26 | 2:00 PM | 3rd ODI | New Chandigarh |
IND vs WI ODI Squads
India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul [VC], Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.
West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.