Captain Shubman Gill backed veteran opener Rohit Sharma despite his below-par showing during India's 2-1 defeat in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma scored only 61 runs in three innings at an average of 20.33, failing to register a single fifty in the series against New Zealand.
Rana and Sundar also spoke of their respective spells and how they helped India script victory in Sydney.
The inability to turn promising starts into match-defining scores haunted India throughout the series, including in the third and final ODI in Indore.
Shubman Gill on Thursday said he would look to imbibe the 'calmness' that his predecessor Rohit Sharma brought to the dressing room
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has defended Rishabh Pant after he was removed as India's Test vice-captain following a disappointing IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants. Kaif said Pant should not be judged on his IPL performances alone and insisted he remains India's biggest match-winner in Test cricket.
IPL 2026 Week 6 featured Rohit Sharma's explosive return, Urvil Patel's record-equalling fifty, Finn Allen's maiden IPL ton and Rashid Khan's brilliant comeback spell.
'We just want them to go out there and do their magic'
India's newly-appointed ODI skipper Shubman Gill on Thursday said senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain a part of the team's 2027 World Cup plans as their skill levels and voluminous experience cannot be ignored.
Jos Buttler expressed his satisfaction after Gujarat Titans' victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, emphasising the importance of the win for their playoff aspirations. Shubman Gill and Buttler's strong batting performances, along with Rahul Tewatia's finishing, secured the win. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar acknowledged his team's insufficient score.
'He doesn't play T20 cricket. So, he will not be a part of the World Cup in 2026 in India. But when they go to 2027 in South Africa, he will be 40 years old. And that's a big number in sport.'
'We don't know how long Rohit Sharma will continue.'
Spin great Harbhajan Singh said the selectors were right in appointing Shubman Gill as India's ODI captain last year, stating that the youngster is ready for "big challenges".
After this snub, it looks difficult for Shubman Gill at this point to make a comeback to the T20 team with plenty of talented young players waiting in the wings.
Virat Kohli discusses his time as captain of the Indian Test cricket team and how a shared sense of responsibility among players contributed to their success.
Indian cricketers, including Test skipper Shubman Gill and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, have cleared the pre-season fitness test which was conducted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday.
The charismatic presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma alongside a host of top India cricketers lends unprecedented gravitas to the Vijay Hazare One-Day Trophy beginning on Wednesday, giving all of them a chance to prove a point amid a renewed focus on domestic grind.
Rohit Sharma was replaced as India's ODI captain by Shubman Gill last year despite winning the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup within a span of nine months.
Mitchell Starc's four-wicket haul helped Delhi Capitals restrict Rajasthan Royals to 193 for eight after a blazing start in their IPL match, keeping Delhi's playoff hopes alive.
Mumbai Indians, struggling with inconsistent performances, face a confident Gujarat Titans side looking to extend their winning streak in the Indian Premier League.
Robin Uthappa on Shubman Gill's ODI captaincy, says 'Rohit will be 41 by 2027 World Cup'
B Sai Sudharsan's magnificent century propelled Gujarat Titans to a competitive total against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match. His innings defied T20 conventions, proving runs can be made without aggressive hitting.
To be or not to be could well be the dilemma in Shubman Gill's mind as he crisscrosses formats, having tweaked his technique from an unorthodox style to a more classical one that is not quite yielding the returns he may have envisaged in T20 Internationals.
Dhawan also highlighted Rohit Sharma's influence on young players, particularly the openers, emphasising how his vast experience helps shape their game.
Rahul Dravid had backed Shubman Gill to become India's all-format captain four years ago.
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Shubman Gill's injury during the South Africa T20I series earlier this month was the moment when India's World Cup opening combination became clear.
Even as the focus remains on the T20 World Cup which is less than a month away, Kohli and Rohit will hog the limelight in the three ODIs over the next seven days.
While new young stars have emerged in Indian cricket in the last few years, none can match the monumental batting feats or the electric fan frenzy that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli command.
Abhishek Sharma has turned IPL 2026 into a statement season, bouncing back from a tough T20 World Cup to smash an unbeaten 135 against Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad.
A recap of the action of the third week of IPL 2026.
Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting and Shubman Gill's calculated approach have formed a formidable opening partnership for India in ODIs.
Shubman Gill has described his appointment as India's ODI captain as the "biggest honour", expressing pride in carrying forward the legacy left by Rohit Sharma, who will play under him in the upcoming three-match series in Australia.
Former spinner Amit Mishra backed the inclusion of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to in the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying that there is no one better in the team who can handle pressure better than the legendary duo.
Test skipper Shubman Gill was on Thursday named captain of the North Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, beginning August 28, less than three weeks after he led a young Indian side to a thrilling 2-2 draw against England in a gruelling five-Test series.
The 26 year old rued the dropped catches, which ultimately cost India the match and the series.
Shubman Gill said the masterly innings of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli helped him register his maiden win as India's ODI skipper.
This knock was Rohit at his best, mixing patience, power, and timing with finesse.
At this moment, the Indian think tank is doing a tough balancing act of building the team around a new set of players without completely cutting ties with the old guard.
It's a bit of a shock to see Rohit not going to Australia as captain: Harbhajan
Today, predictability has replaced volatility. When 200 becomes routine and chases follow a template, the element of surprise goes out the window and with it viewer engagement.
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