Sydney, Oct 25: India’s young ODI captain Shubman Gill has said that a final decision on how to ensure regular game time for senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be taken only after the upcoming South Africa ODI series.
Both stalwarts, who now feature exclusively in the 50-over format, are expected to require consistent match practice to stay in rhythm, especially with limited international fixtures lined up over the next few months.
“We haven’t talked about it yet. But once the South Africa ODI series is over, we’ll decide how to keep the players in touch,” Gill said during the post-match press conference after India’s emphatic nine-wicket win over Australia in Sydney. “There’s a gap in international cricket before the New Zealand series, so we’ll see how to manage it then.”
Rohit and Kohli finished the recently concluded series in style, guiding India to victory in the final ODI. Rohit’s commanding 121* and Kohli’s unbeaten 74 ensured a clinical chase, underlining their continued dominance in the format.With only six ODIs left in the season — three each against South Africa (November 30, December 3, and 6) and New Zealand (starting January 11, 2026) — the management is keen on keeping the two in playing shape. The domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy, beginning December 24, could provide the duo a chance to get additional match time with their respective state teams.Gill, meanwhile, could not hide his admiration for the veterans’ professionalism and class. “They’ve been winning games for the past 15 years. Watching them bat like that is a treat to the eyes. As a captain, it feels great to see the senior-most players finish games with such authority,” he said.The young skipper also reflected on how Rohit and Kohli embody the team’s philosophy of finishing what they start. “It’s something we often talk about in meetings — if you’re set, you should take the team through. They’re walking the talk, and that’s a great bonus for us.”As India look ahead to a busy 2026 season, the focus now shifts to how the management ensures that their two most experienced batters remain in rhythm — ready, rested, and razor-sharp when the big tournaments arrive. (PTI)
