NEW DELHI: As India prepare to begin a new chapter in ODIs under Shubman Gill, the young captain spoke about his relationship with Rohit Sharma after taking over the ODI leadership ahead of the three-match series against Australia. The first ODI of the series is scheduled for Sunday at Perth’s Optus Stadium.“Whatever the narrative might be outside, there has been no such thing between us. It is just like old times. He is very helpful, and he always shares his experiences. I have been asking him for his suggestions. I asked him, ‘What would you have done on this wicket if you were the captain?’ I like to pick the brains of other players,” Gill told reporters in Perth on Saturday.
“I have a good equation with both Virat and Rohit bhai. I always take their advice, and they are never hesitant when it comes to giving their take,” he added.Gill acknowledged the challenge of following in the footsteps of some of Indian cricket’s greatest leaders — MS Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit — all of whom have had remarkable success as captains.“First Mahi bhai, then Virat bhai, and now we’ll carry forward the legacy that Rohit bhai has built. There’s so much experience there. I’ve spoken with both Virat bhai and Rohit bhai about how to take this team forward, what kind of culture we want to maintain, and their experience will be extremely valuable for us,” he said.The young captain has often cited both legends as major inspirations. When the team left for Australia, Rohit was seen hugging Gill, while a video also captured Kohli patting him on the back, reflecting their support and camaraderie.Both Rohit and Kohli are making their international return for the first time since India’s Champions Trophy 2025 win and will now play under Gill’s leadership.“When I was a kid, I used to idolise both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The kind of game and skills they displayed and the hunger they had were truly inspiring. It’s a big honour for me to be able to lead such legends of the game and learn from them. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are among the best white-ball cricketers in the world. The experience and skill they bring are extremely important for the team and make a huge difference,” he said.
