Virat Kohli reveals what he sees in Shubman Gill that can make him a long-term India captain
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Virat Kohli reveals what he sees in Shubman Gill that can make him a long-term India captain originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- India ace Virat Kohli backs Shubman Gill's captaincy credentials, praising his intensity and long-term leadership qualities.
- Kohli highlights Gill's tactical clarity and his knack for staying one step ahead of opponents.
- The endorsement arrives as India rebuilds leadership ahead of a long-awaited 2027 World Cup push.
Virat Kohli delivers huge endorsement on Shubman Gill’s future as India captain
Virat Kohli showered lavish praise on Shubman Gill before India begins their ODI series against the West Indies at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
Gill might not have reached the kind of global standing Kohli or Rohit Sharma command just yet. Give it time, though, as he's already holding two of the biggest leadership posts in Indian cricket, steering both the Test and ODI sides.
It's a shift that fits neatly into India's broader rebuild as they look toward 2027, a World Cup campaign carrying the weight of a sixteen-year title drought.
Kohli sat down with JioStar and didn't hold back on his thoughts about the young skipper, touching on everything from mindset to match-craft.
“Shubman, the captain, is still learning. He is still young in the role, but he has got the right perspective and the right kind of intensity to lead the Indian team," Kohli said.
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What stood out most for Kohli wasn't flashy captaincy moves, but it was the clarity Gill brings to his planning, something Kohli reckons only sharpens further with time on the job.
"He (Gill) has got his plans very clear in terms of how he looks at us operating in the field. Of course, with more experience and understanding situations, the kind of calls you take are things that he will keep working on and improving, which everyone does in a leadership role."
For Kohli, though, one quality mattered above all else: the hunger to do the job properly, not just occupy the role.
"He has got the desire to lead the Indian cricket team in the right way, which is the most important factor. So, I see him leading for a long time, and he will be absolutely fine," he added.
Kohli went further still, pointing to Gill's ability to read the game and outthink opponents on the field; a trait he clearly rates highly in a captain.
"He thinks of ways to get batters out in the field, which is always a sign of doing something different or staying a step ahead. He is not shy to use different kinds of fields, put guys under pressure, communicate the same to the bowlers, and bring in a certain kind of bowling attack," Kohli said.
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Gill's own words show respect runs both ways
This mutual admiration isn't new, either. Back before the series against Australia in 2025, Gill had spoken about looking up to Kohli and Rohit long before he ever captained them.
"These are the kind of players (Rohit & Virat) I used to idolise when I was growing up. The kind of hunger that they had used to inspire me," Gill had told reporters.
"It is a big honour for me to be able to lead such legends of the game. I am sure there would be so many moments in this series where I would be able to learn from them."
He'd added that leaning on their experience wasn't something he'd shy away from if things got tough. "If I get in a difficult position, I wouldn't shy away from taking advice from them."
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Kohli's endorsement is a massive boost for Gill
When a player of Kohli's stature vouches for a young captain, it's not just a nice soundbite; it's a signal to the dressing room and the wider cricketing world that the transition is being handled the right way.
Gill still has plenty to learn, and Kohli doesn't pretend otherwise, but flagging his tactical clarity and hunger to lead suggests the senior pros trust the direction India are heading in.
That matters enormously with a World Cup looming in 2027. A team performs better when its stars are visibly behind the captain rather than merely tolerating him.
Gill's own comments about leaning on Kohli and Rohit for guidance show a maturity that goes beyond his years, and if that dynamic holds through the transition period, India's succession planning might end up looking far smoother than most expected.
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