Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has shared his insights on Shubman Gill’s upcoming role as captain for India’s One-Day International series in Australia. Bishop noted that Gill will receive crucial support from senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during this significant phase.
Following India’s dominant 2-0 Test series victory against the West Indies, Bishop expressed strong confidence in Gill’s leadership capabilities, while also acknowledging that the young captain will need time to mature into the role.
The 24-year-old Indian opener is stepping up to lead the national team in Australia, marking his first major captaincy assignment.
“Gill will be just fine. Those two guys (Rohit and Kohli) will definitely help him along the way. He is going to grow significantly in this job,” Bishop told the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Bishop further elaborated, “Gill is nowhere near a finished article yet. People must afford him the opportunity to develop as a captain, and as a batsman, his game will continue to evolve as well.”
He underscored how the vast experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be instrumental in assisting Gill with his leadership duties and handling the pressures that come with captaincy.
“He possesses the innate temperament and skill to lead, but the refinement in captaincy and tactical awareness is something that typically takes a couple of seasons to fully develop. I am confident he will receive ample assistance from the two seasoned veterans,” Bishop added.
When asked about the potential participation of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the 2027 World Cup, Bishop stressed that such decisions would ultimately depend on their personal choices and continued form.
“That’s entirely their decision to make. I cannot speak for Rohit, Virat, or the BCCI regarding that. It hinges on their continued determination and skill level, and they have certainly been performing well so far,” he continued.
India impressively demonstrated their superiority by clinching the home Test series against the West Indies convincingly.
Bishop also highlighted encouraging developments within the West Indies team, particularly praising the batting and bowling performances of several players. He commented, “From a West Indian perspective, it was truly gratifying to witness a few of our batters spending quality time at the crease. The confidence they exhibited in the pitch was outstanding.
“While it’s not to say they have fully arrived, they have undoubtedly laid down some important building blocks for the future.”