India’s cricket team is in transition, with Shubman Gill poised to make his ODI captaincy debut against Australia, and all-rounder Axar Patel believes the presence of top batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is ideal. The easy transition was evident during India’s training sessions at Optus Stadium, when the three enjoyed each other’s company.
Gill, who previously served as Test captain and scored a record-breaking 754 runs in a series against England, is now taking over as ODI captain. Despite their absence from regular international cricket, Kohli and Rohit appeared match-ready, providing Gill with a supportive atmosphere in which to learn and lead. Axar emphasized that the combination of youth and experience benefits not only Gill but the squad as a whole.
“This is a great experience for Shubman too. Rohit bhai and Virat bhai and everyone is here, this is part of the transition process. You have older players, and if the young players come with their experience, then they can learn from the seniors and understand how to play at this level, what they can do and what they can’t do. It’s perfect that Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are here and Shubman is doing the captaincy. It will help in Shubman’s growth as a captain,” left-arm spinning allrounder Axar Patel told reporters in Perth.
I am very confident about this series: Axar Patel
The 31-year-old further revealed that the two batting stalwarts have come prepared for the series and are looking to go for the Australian challenge.
“It’s good if young and experienced play together. If you look at their form, the way the two of them have prepared – they trained at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and also played practice games – I think they are ready performance-wise. They look in good touch in the training sessions. And if you talk about their physical fitness, of course, everyone has passed their fitness tests. I think they are ready to go,” he added
Meanwhile, the series gives Axar himself an opportunity to step up as an important all-rounder, especially with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja not part of the squad. Batting at No.5, Axar will have responsibility in both departments and is confident of delivering for India.
“I am very confident about this series. In the Asia Cup, I did well with bat and ball. I am ready for the challenge. If you look at my growth – I came here in 2015 for the first time during the World Cup – I have been with the Indian team regularly in recent years. I know what I have to do. The team relies on me now – ‘it’s Axar, he can get us the results’. If you perform continuously, you get the confidence too. I am more confident now and I know and I can do my bit to win games for my team,” Axar concluded
India
