Indian spinner Axar Patel believes the invaluable presence of cricket veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be instrumental in helping newly appointed ODI captain Shubman Gill develop his leadership skills. Patel shared these insights during a joint press interaction with Australian opener Travis Head in Perth on Friday, ahead of Sunday’s first One-Day International.
Shubman Gill has taken over the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma, who famously led India to the Champions Trophy title in March. Interestingly, neither Rohit nor Kohli has played for India since that victorious tournament.
“For Gill, this situation is perfect. Having Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai there, both of whom have captained before, means they can offer their input, which is excellent for Gill’s captaincy growth,” Axar commented. “What’s been remarkable about Gill’s captaincy so far is his ability to remain unpressurized.”
Despite their recent break from competitive cricket, Axar confirmed that both Rohit and Kohli appear to be in peak condition and ready for action, having trained rigorously at Bangalore’s Centre of Excellence.
“As Travis rightly said, they are both world-class players. We will certainly see their impact after the first match. They are professionals and know precisely what is expected of them. Their extensive practice at Bangalore’s Centre of Excellence suggests they are fully prepared, looking very sharp both in nets and fitness-wise,” Axar stated.
The Indian team’s increasing experience in Australian conditions has prompted a shift in their approach, moving their focus from concerns about pitches to more strategic planning.
“I feel that since 2015, there have been many changes. In earlier tours, discussions heavily focused on pitches, conditions, and bounce, and we played fewer matches here. After the 2015 World Cup, we started playing more regularly, and our batters began to perform exceptionally well,” Axar explained. “Now, when we arrive, it no longer feels like unfamiliar Australian conditions; we are prepared for any challenge. Our conversations revolve around strategizing how to score runs and timing, rather than debating the pitch itself.”
Axar, who earned his spot in this series ahead of Ravindra Jadeja, expressed strong confidence in his own abilities. “I am very confident about this series. I performed well with both bat and ball in the Asia Cup. It has been a significant period since I played in Australia, and I am fully ready for the challenge,” he affirmed.
The team is scheduled to kick off their campaign with the first ODI on Sunday, marking the much-anticipated return of both Rohit and Kohli to international cricket since their Champions Trophy appearance in March.