'Fortunate to have Rohit, Virat': Gambhir's big endorsement of India's veterans

India's coach Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo)

As India prepare to begin their three-match ODI series against the West Indies on Sunday, head coach Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the value of having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli around captain

Shubman Gill

.Rohit and Virat are both set to feature in the playing XI for the series opener in Kerala, and Gambhir, speaking to JioStar, was asked specifically about Gill's leadership and his development in the role.

The India coach pointed to the experience available to Gill through the presence of the two senior batters, stressing that their influence extends beyond what they contribute with the bat.“In one-day cricket, when you talk about it, he's very fortunate that he's got the likes of Rohit and Virat to help him on the field and off the field as well. And then, more importantly, I think that calmness, I think keeping the emotions aside, because when you're young, sometimes you can actually get dragged into the emotions as well."He has actually ticked all the boxes. He has been calm, he has been selfless, he has been aggressive, he has said the right things… he leads by example, not only by runs."So I feel that he has done all the right things. Hopefully, he'll get the 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 about Gill, they also amount to a significant public endorsement of Rohit and Virat from the India coach.

The situation around Rohit, in particular, has shifted considerably since the Lord's ODI in July. Ahead of that game, a media house had reported that the match could be the former India captain's last and that he had been informed that he was no longer part of the team's World Cup plans.

Rohit responded on the field with a commanding 138 in the match. Since then,

BCCI

secretary Devajit Saikia has also spoken strongly in support of the veteran batter.The developments around the selection set-up have added another layer to the changing picture. TimesofIndia.com earlier reported that Ajit Agarkar is less likely to receive an extension, with

Parthiv Patel

appearing to be the front runner for the chief selector's position.Also Read: Parthiv Patel frontrunner for chief selector if Ajit Agarkar, BCCI fail to agree extensionAgainst that backdrop, Gambhir's comments about Rohit and Virat underline the prominent role the two veterans continue to have around the ODI side.