Indian cricket’s next wave is being told, in no uncertain terms, that raw ability will only take them so far. What truly separates the elite from the rest is discipline, routine and an almost obsessive commitment to improvement. Ahead of India’s ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, that message was driven home by former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who pointed to Virat Kohli’s work ethic as the benchmark young captain Shubman Gill should aspire to match. Speaking during commentary in the first ODI at Vadodara, with Gill and Kohli batting together, Shastri chose not to dissect technique or shot selection. Instead, he focused on what happens away from the spotlight. Kohli’s greatness, he stressed, is rooted in habits built day after day, often unseen on match nights.
“The single-mindedness, the hunger. The willingness to push that body to the limits. And I have seen that in my time when I was with the team, his work ethics probably second to none. I have seen just the way he goes about his job, the number of catches he takes in the morning, the catches in the outfield, and the throws into the keeper’s gloves. Apart from his batting and everything else, it’s a routine,” Shastri said. Those routines were reflected on the field as India began the series with a four-wicket win over New Zealand at the Kotambi International Stadium to take a 1-0 lead. Chasing 301, India were powered by half-centuries from Kohli and Gill, followed by a calm finish from KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 29. Rohit Sharma set the tone early to become the first cricketer to hit 650 sixes in international cricket before falling for 26. Kohli then took centre stage, racing past 28,000 international runs and overtaking Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international history. His 93 came as part of a crucial 118-run stand with Gill, who marked his return from injury with a fluent 56. Despite a brief collapse sparked by Kyle Jamieson, Rahul held his nerve at the end, sealing the chase with a six in the final over. Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s composed 84 had anchored New Zealand to 300/8. As India now head to Rajkot for the second ODI, Gill finds himself leading a side that still features Kohli at the peak of his professionalism. The lesson, as Shastri underlined, is clear. Talent opens the door, but it is discipline and obsession with the finer details that keep players at the top.
