The towering presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian ODI team can only help newly appointed captain Shubman Gill grow as a leader, said left-arm spinner Axar Patel in Perth on Friday.
Following India’s second training session ahead of the first ODI on Sunday, Axar said Rohit and Kohli, who have not played for India since the Champions Trophy in March, look sharp as ever.
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Gill has succeeded Rohit as ODI captain despite the latter taking India to the Champions Trophy title.
“For Gill, it’s perfect, Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai are there, and along with that, they have been captains, so they can give their input also, so it is very good growth of Gill’s captaincy,” said Axar in a joint interaction with Australian opener Travis Head.
“What has been good about Gill’s captaincy thus far is that he has not been pressurised,” he added.
It has been a while since Rohit and Kohli played competitive cricket but Axar said they are looking as sharp as ever.
“Like Travis said, they both are world-class players. We can see after the first match (how their form is). They are professionals, so they know what to do. They have been practising in Bangalore’s Centre of Excellence, so I think they are ready to go. They are looking very good both in nets and fitness-wise,” said the bowling all-rounder, who first visited Australia as an India player a decade ago.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
