Overview:
Kohli topped the run charts against South Africa with 302 runs, featuring two hundreds and an unbeaten 65 in the decider.
Ahead of the three-match ODI contest against New Zealand, Shubman Gill said the guidance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli helps him navigate the pressures that come with leading India.
Shubman Gill stressed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring a calming influence and big-match know-how, acting as a buffer when pressure spikes. Speaking in Vadodara before the first ODI, Gill explained why the pair remain such an asset behind the scenes.
“The two players you’ve mentioned speak for themselves. Rohit Sharma is among the finest openers the game has seen, and Virat bhai is one of the greatest ODI batters ever. When you have that kind of quality and experience in your side, it definitely makes the captain’s job a lot easier,” he said.
“Whenever you find yourself in a tricky phase, they’ve already been through it countless times in different conditions. You can always turn to them to understand how they’re reading the game and what they’d do next, and that kind of input is priceless for any captain,” he added.
India welcome back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the ODIs against New Zealand beginning January 11. The pair head into the series in fine touch, with Rohit shining as Player of the Series in Australia and Kohli doing likewise during the South Africa fixtures.
Kohli topped the run charts against South Africa with 302 runs, featuring two hundreds and an unbeaten 65 in the decider. Rohit provided steady starts, including a 75 in the third ODI, and the duo’s form is mirrored in the ICC ODI batting rankings, with Rohit at No.1 and Kohli at No.2.