Shubman Gill to Benefit from Kohli and Rohit's Expertise: Axar

Perth, Oct 17 (PTI) - Shubman Gill's growth as the ODI captain of the Indian cricket team is poised to benefit significantly from the presence of seasoned stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to left-arm spinner Axar Patel.

During a joint interaction with Australian opener Travis Head, Axar shared insights following India's second training session ahead of the first ODI on Sunday. He noted the sharpness of both Rohit and Kohli, who have not featured for India since the Champions Trophy in March.

Despite Rohit's previous success in leading India to a Champions Trophy title, Gill has now taken up the mantle as the ODI captain. Axar highlighted the advantage of having Rohit and Kohli around, indicating that their experience and inputs could greatly contribute to Gill's leadership development.

"For Gill, it's perfect," stated Axar. "Rohit Bhai and Virat Bhai are there, and along with that, they have been captains, so they can give their input also. So, it is very good for the growth of Gill's captaincy."

Axar mentioned that even though Rohit and Kohli have been away from competitive cricket for some time, they appear as focused and ready as ever. "Like Travis said, they both are world-class players. We can see after the first match (how their form is). They are professionals, so they know what to do. They have been practicing in Bangalore's Centre of Excellence, so I think they are ready to go. They are looking very good both in nets and fitness-wise," he added, drawing from his experiences of playing in Australia a decade ago.

Axar further elaborated on the team's current focus, which is more strategic than ever, given their familiarity with Australian conditions. He stated that over the years, discussions in the dressing room have evolved from concerns over bouncy pitches to more tactical conversations about utilizing those conditions effectively.

"I feel that since 2015 (my first visit Down Under), there have been a lot of changes. When we used to come, the talk was about pitches, conditions, bounce, and we used to play less as well," Axar reflected. "Now, it doesn't feel like we are playing in alien conditions. Instead, we talk about strategy and timing."

Axar is also stepping into a significant role in the series, being selected ahead of experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He expressed confidence in his preparations and form, especially considering his recent performances in the Asia Cup.

"I am very confident about this series. In the Asia Cup, I did well both with bat and ball. After a long time (2022 T20 World Cup), I would be playing in Australia. I am ready for the challenge," he concluded.

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