‘Very lucky to have Rohit and Virat’: Gautam Gambhir is very supportive of India’s veterans

India coach Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo) As India prepare to open their three-match ODI series against the West Indies on Sunday, head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized the value of having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli around skipper Shubman Gill.Rohit and Virat are both set to feature in the playing eleven for the series opener in Kerala and Gambhir, speaking to JioStar, was asked specifically about Gill’s leadership and his development in the role.Pointing to the experience available to Gill through the presence of the two senior batsmen, the Indian coach emphasized that their influence goes beyond what they contribute with the bat.“In one-day cricket, when you talk about it, he’s very lucky to have Rohit and Virat to help him on and off the field. And then, more importantly, I think the calmness, I think keeping the emotions aside, because when you’re young, you can get really emotional sometimes.”“He actually ticked all the boxes. He was calm, dedicated, aggressive, said the right things … he leads by example, not just runs.”“So I feel he has done all the right things. Hopefully he will get results as well because he has had a bit of a tough time in one-day cricket. But I am sure, I think things will turn around because he has done all the right things,” Gambhir said.While the comments were prompted by a question on Gill, they also mark a significant public endorsement of Rohit and Virat by the Indian coach.The situation around Rohit, in particular, has moved on considerably since the Lord’s ODI in July. Ahead of this match, a media house reported that the match could be the last for the former India captain and that he has been informed that he is no longer part of the team’s World Cup plans.Rohit responded on the field by commanding 138 in the match. Since then, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has also come out strongly in support of the veteran.Development around the selection setup added another layer to the changing picture. TimesofIndia.com had earlier reported that Ajit Agarkar is less likely to get an extension, with Parthiv Patel appearing to be the front-runner for the chief selector position.Also Read: Parthiv Patel front-runner for chief selector if Ajit Agarkar, BCCI does not agree extensionIn this context, Gambhir’s comments on Rohit and Virat underscore the prominent role the two veterans continue to have around the ODI side.

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