Shubman Gill lucky to have Rohit and Virat, says Gautam Gambhir: here’s why the coach made this big statement

Gautam Gambhir on Shubman Gill: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed Shubman Gill to grow into a successful ODI captain, while highlighting the huge advantage the young skipper has in the form of two experienced stars — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With India set to begin their three-match ODI series against West Indies on September 27, Gambhir’s comments have put the spotlight firmly on Gill’s leadership and the experience available around him.

Gambhir believes Gill is “very fortunate” to have Rohit and Virat around him because both senior batters can help him understand the game and handle difficult situations on and off the field. The comments came ahead of India’s home ODI series against West Indies, where Gill will continue to lead the side while Rohit and Virat are also part of the squad.

The timing of Gambhir’s statement is important. Gill’s first phase as India’s ODI captain has not been completely smooth. He has already experienced series defeats, difficult selection calls and the pressure that naturally comes with leading India in a format where expectations are enormous. However, Gambhir feels the young captain has handled those challenges well and can improve considerably with more experience.

Why Gambhir called Gill fortunate

Taking charge of India in ODI cricket is not an easy assignment, particularly when the team contains several established stars. According to Gambhir, Gill has a major advantage because he can turn to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for advice.

“Gill is very fortunate that he has the likes of Rohit and Virat to help him on and off the field,” Gambhir said while speaking ahead of the West Indies series.

The significance of Rohit and Virat goes beyond their batting numbers. Both players have spent years playing international cricket and have experienced almost every kind of situation possible in the 50-over format.

Rohit has previously captained India in ODIs and led the team to the 2025 Champions Trophy title, while Virat has also enjoyed a long stint as India’s ODI captain. Their experience can therefore be particularly valuable for Gill when the game reaches a difficult phase or when the captain has to make a tactical call.

For a relatively young captain, having two players with that kind of experience inside the dressing room can provide another perspective before making important decisions.

Gill’s ODI captaincy has had mixed results

Gambhir’s support for Gill also comes at a time when the captain’s ODI record has received plenty of attention.

Gill has led India in 12 ODIs so far, with six wins and six defeats. That gives him a 50 percent win record at this stage of his captaincy career. His first ODI series as captain came against Australia, followed by series against New Zealand, Afghanistan and England.

There have been encouraging moments as well. India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep against Afghanistan under Gill, giving him his first ODI series victory as captain.

At the same time, India lost the ODI series in Australia, New Zealand and England. Against England in July 2026, India won the opening ODI before losing the next two matches and the series 2-1.

So, the numbers tell a fairly straightforward story: Gill has experienced both success and setbacks, rather than having an uninterrupted run of results.

That is exactly why Gambhir appears keen to give the youngster time.

The difficult part of being India’s captain

One of the biggest points raised by Gambhir was not actually about Gill’s batting or bowling strategy. It was about selection.

Indian cricket has enormous competition for places. Deciding who should sit out can become particularly complicated when several established players are available.

Gambhir pointed out that leaving a player out of India’s XI is always difficult, but the challenge becomes even greater when the decision has to be made by a young captain. He believes Gill has handled these situations well so far.

This is where Rohit and Virat can potentially make a difference. They have themselves spent years dealing with selection pressure, changing combinations and tactical decisions. Their presence means Gill does not have to navigate every difficult situation without experienced voices around him.

It also explains why Gambhir’s comment should not simply be interpreted as praise for Rohit and Virat. It is also an endorsement of the support system around Gill.

Gill has shown he can contribute with the bat too

Gill’s leadership development is happening alongside his own responsibility as a top-order batter.

His ODI numbers in 2026 have included some impressive performances. He scored 84 not out and 154 against Afghanistan and also made 80 in the opening ODI against England. He followed that with scores of 31 and 77 in the remaining two matches of the England series.

That means Gill is not only learning how to captain India; he is simultaneously expected to deliver runs at the top of the order.

The combination can be demanding. A captain has to think about field placements, bowling changes, match situations and team combinations while also preparing himself to bat.

Gambhir’s confidence suggests the coaching staff are willing to judge Gill over a longer period rather than drawing conclusions from a limited run of results.

Rohit and Virat remain important for India’s 2027 plans

The West Indies ODI series is also significant because it forms part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both included in India’s ODI squad for the series, with the senior duo expected to play an important role alongside Gill.

Their experience becomes particularly relevant as India try to build a balanced squad for the next World Cup cycle. Gill represents the leadership transition, while Rohit and Virat bring an enormous amount of experience to the same dressing room.

It is a combination that could give India a useful blend of youth and experience, although the final impact will ultimately depend on performances on the field.

For Gill, meanwhile, the opportunity is quite clear. He can learn from two players who have already spent years carrying the expectations associated with Indian cricket.

West Indies series gives Gill another opportunity

India’s three-match ODI series against West Indies begins on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati, followed by the third match in New Chandigarh. All three games are scheduled to start at 2 PM IST.

The series gives Gill another chance to strengthen his credentials as India’s ODI captain.

The bigger story, however, will be how he uses the experience around him. Having Rohit and Virat available does not automatically guarantee success. Gill will still have to make the calls, manage the team and deal with pressure when matches become difficult.

But having two senior players who understand the demands of international cricket can certainly provide an extra layer of guidance.

Gambhir’s message, therefore, is less about comparing generations and more about the value of experience. Gill is still developing as a captain, and India have given him access to two of the most experienced ODI cricketers of his generation while he makes that transition.

With the 2027 World Cup approaching, every ODI series will add another chapter to that development.

For now, Gambhir has made it clear that the Indian management continues to have faith in Gill’s leadership. The West Indies series will provide the next test — and another opportunity for the young captain to show how much he has learned.

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