Shubman Gill is widely regarded as a potential successor to Rohit Sharma in India’s ODI setup, and the current skipper had nothing but praise for his young opening partner. Speaking on Wednesday, Rohit emphasized Gill’s exceptional talent and justified his elevation to vice-captaincy, pointing to his consistent performances in the 50-over format.
“Gill is a very, very classy player. There was never a doubt about his ability in this squad,” Rohit said, addressing recent discussions around the young batter’s form. He noted that judging a player by their performance in one format isn’t fair, especially since each format demands different skill sets. “We tend to mix formats, and I don’t think that’s the right way to assess any player. Just because a player struggles in one format doesn’t mean the same will happen in another.”
Gill endured a tough Test series in Australia, much like several other Indian batters, but his record in ODIs remains extraordinary. Rohit pointed out that Gill’s numbers in the format speak for themselves and that his elevation to vice-captaincy is a testament to his impact on the team. “If you look at his performances over the last three to four years, he has been superb for us. That’s exactly why he has been given the responsibility of being vice-captain,” Rohit added.
At just 25 years old, Gill has already amassed 2,587 runs in 50 ODIs at an impressive average of 60.16, including seven centuries and 15 half-centuries. While his Test numbers stand at 1,893 runs in 32 matches at an average of 35.05, and his T20I record includes 578 runs in 21 games at 30.42, it is in ODIs that he has truly flourished.
Rohit Sharma is confident that Gill will have a strong tournament ahead, which will be crucial to India’s overall success. “Hopefully, he has a great tournament, and that will help us achieve what we are aiming for,” the skipper concluded, reinforcing his belief in the young star’s ability to shine on the big stage.
