Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has broken his silence on the future of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In the wake of India’s successful ODI series against South Africa, Gambhir underscored the immense importance of their experience and expressed his hope that they will continue to be key figures in the 50-over format.
India clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 with a resounding nine-wicket win in Vizag. Gambhir, reflecting on the series win, lauded both Rohit and Kohli for their consistent performances, stating that their contributions remain vital for India’s success in white-ball cricket, especially ODIs. His statements come amid fan discussions and media reports suggesting potential team dynamics concerns, particularly as both players have transitioned to playing single formats for the national side.
“They are quality players. They are world-class players in the format,” Gambhir stated during the post-match press conference. “Their experience is important in the dressing room. They have been doing it for a long time. Hopefully, they can continue doing the same, which is always going to be important come the white ball format and the 50-over format.”
Kohli and Sharma are reportedly still in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup squad, despite their age. Their sustained high-level performances have reportedly made them indispensable, even for a coach known for challenging selection norms. Virat Kohli, in particular, had a stellar series against South Africa, amassing over 300 runs with two centuries, reinforcing his status as a cornerstone of India’s ODI team. Gambhir also acknowledged the promising performances of young talents like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal.