Shubman Gill is leading India in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies. India secured an eight-wicket victory in the first ODI, successfully chasing down a 296-run target. The second ODI saw West Indies post 405 runs at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, which India hunted down in a successful chase.
Gill himself played a match-winning role in the second ODI, scoring 223 not out while successfully hunting down 406 runs. Speaking about the value of having senior players in the squad, Gill reflected on their contribution to the team’s success.
“I feel extremely lucky. Virat bhai is probably the best ODI batter, and Rohit bhai is the best ODI opener in the world. And then to be able to have these two players in the team and their experience, and the moments that they have shared together, it is great, and we really enjoy having them in the team. And their experience is very valuable for us,” Gill said to JioStar on Follow the Blues ‘The Shubman Show.’
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli delivered strong performances in the series. Kohli scored 139 not out in the first ODI, while Rohit Sharma scored a century in the second ODI. Across 2026, Rohit has accumulated 512 runs in 11 ODIs at an average of 46.54, including 2 centuries and 1 fifty with a best score of 138. Virat has scored 552 runs in 8 ODIs at an average of 78.85, with 2 centuries and 3 fifties, his best score being 139 not out.
Gill’s consultative approach to captaincy
Gill adopts a consultative approach to captaincy, seeking advice from multiple senior players in the squad. Beyond Rohit and Virat, he also values the perspectives of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer when making decisions. The India captain believes that listening to experienced voices helps him make informed choices on the field.
“Often, not just those two (Rohit and Virat for advice); I go to even KL or Shreyas, for that matter. I like to take everyone’s opinion, but then, at the end of the day, if I feel, ‘Okay, this is something I missed in my mind, that I didn’t consider,’ then I take their opinion. But most of the time, it happens that if they come to suggest something, then I might have thought about it. If I have not thought about it, then I will think about what their thoughts are, what their opinions are. So, you listen to everyone, see what they are thinking, and then what, according to me, would work best in that situation; I think learning comes from that,” Gill said.
Gill’s own performance in 2026 has been exceptional. In 11 ODIs and 10 innings this year, he has scored 894 runs at an average of 127.71 with a strike rate of 119.51, including 3 centuries and 5 fifties. Across his ODI career spanning 69 matches and 68 innings, Gill has accumulated 3,712 runs at an average of 65.12 with a strike rate exceeding 103, comprising 11 centuries and 20 fifties.
