New Delhi: India ODI captain Shubman Gill Has thrown away his weight Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharmainsisted that the veteran pair will continue to be at the heart of Team India’s plans as they head towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.Ahead of the three-match ODI series against England, Gill made it clear that their place in the team is not in doubt while responding to speculation over the futures of the two senior batsmen. “Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai, they have been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up for the last decade. They remain an integral part of our team,” Gill told reporters ahead of the first ODI in Birmingham on Tuesday. The captain said the pair’s value extends far beyond running backs, highlighting the wealth of experience they bring to the table in pressure situations.“The experience and skills they bring to the team are obviously very valuable. We see what they do over the last decade, repeatedly, consistently, under different conditions, across multiple games, different championships, different occasions. “Gill’s comments come after chief elector Ajit Agarkar Having recently said that senior players should not be “judged” in every series, questions about India’s transition plans continue to surface.The 26-year-old also stressed the importance of experience in any successful team.“If any team has an experienced roster, then I think experience helps you a lot in pressure situations. Because you’ve been in these situations a lot of times, good and bad. So, I think when you’re under pressure, you have a sense of calm.”Gill reiterated that India is using the England ODIs to fine-tune its squad for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, but said the team wants to debut young players without compromising its established core.“I don’t think it’s an unstable XI… You have to give new players a chance. You have to give them experience.”For Gill, India’s future plans will not come at the expense of its proven match-winners. Instead, the skipper feels that Rohit and Virat will continue to provide a stable environment for the next generation to blend in.
