Shubman Gill’s Blunt Response On Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Leaves Critics Silenced

Shubman Gill has made his stance on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s place in India’s ODI plans clear.

With questions continuing to surround the future of the two veterans, the India captain backed the experienced duo after the third ODI against West Indies, pointing towards their recent performances rather than their age.

Rohit and Kohli were among India’s key performers during the three-match series. Kohli struck an unbeaten century in the opening ODI, while Rohit followed it up with a century in the second game.

Rohit then narrowly missed out on another hundred in the series finale, scoring 92 as India posted 351/7.

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Gill Gives Straight Answer On Rohit And Kohli

Gill was asked about the performances of Rohit and Kohli following India’s five-wicket defeat to West Indies in the third ODI on Saturday.

Rather than getting drawn into the ongoing debate over the senior pair’s future, Gill highlighted what they have continued to contribute with the bat.

Shubhman gill on Rohit Sharma in press conference : 🗣️- "I really feel that Rohit Bhai has been in a great form, it's his 3rd hundred already in couple of series." https://t.co/PLaGv32tKb

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 3, 2026

“They have been batting, you know, really well. We have seen Rohit bhai, I think, in the last four innings; this is his third hundred, I think.

So, he has been batting really well, so has Virat bhai and even whenever KL has got the chance, he has, you know, done the work for the team,” Gill said at the post-match press conference.

Gill also praised KL Rahul, who played a crucial role in the third ODI with a century despite India eventually failing to defend their 351-run total.

“He has, he has put in that effort and he has batted brilliantly,” the India captain added.

The comments come at a time when Rohit and Kohli’s ODI futures continue to attract attention because of their age.

However, both have provided performances that have strengthened the case for their continued involvement, with Rohit and Kohli playing important roles during the West Indies series.

‘There Isn’t That Much Time To Experiment’

Gill’s comments also offered a glimpse into India’s planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the tournament now less than a year away.

India experimented with their squad during the West Indies series, partly because several frontline players were unavailable due to Asian Games commitments. Gill, however, made it clear that the team now needs to move towards a settled combination.

“I honestly think there isn’t that much time to experiment, you know. The combination that we want to play, hopefully, you know, we get all the players that are available from the next series and the combination that we would like to play in the World Cup, we want to start playing with that combination,” Gill said.

India's next ODI assignment will be against New Zealand, giving Gill and the team management an opportunity to work with a more settled group ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

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Rohit, Kohli Still Part Of Gill’s Plans?

Gill’s comments effectively shifted the conversation away from whether Rohit and Kohli should be moved aside for younger players and towards the importance of building India’s strongest possible combination for the World Cup.

With Rohit scoring 92 in the third ODI, Kohli having already produced a century in the series and Gill himself finishing as the Player of the Series with 334 runs, India’s top order continues to provide significant experience and firepower.