While there was speculation on ODI cricket future of Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following the Champions Trophy, vice-captain Shubman Gill made clear that there was no talk of their retirement in the dressing room of the team.
Addressing the pre-match press conference before India’s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday, Gill ended speculation regarding the two contemporary greats retiring from ODI cricket.
“There is no talk about retirement in the dressing room, now,” Shubman Gill asserted.
Best Batting Line-Up, More Freedom for Top Order
Gill, India’s most reliable ODI batsman over the past two years, is honored to be a part of what he describes as the best batting unit. He attributed the depth of the team’s batting to enabling the top order to play with more freedom.
“This is the best batting line up I am part of. Rohit is one of the best openers (in the world) and Virat, we need not tell about him. But our team has depth in batting and that allows the top order to bat with bit more freedom,” Gill clarified.
Confident Ahead of Champions Trophy Final
With India ready to face New Zealand in the high-pressure final, Gill admitted the pressure but was confident of the team’s chances of winning. He laid stress on how managing pressure would be the decisive factor.
“We are all excited for the final. Last time we could not win the 50 over World Cup but we are determined to win this time,” he stated.
Gill emphasized that one should remain calm on the grand stage and asserted that the team that copes with pressure will win the trophy.
“There will be big match pressure. But whichever team deals with pressure will win the final. We just need to take it like any other match, and good teams will do that. We have played four matches here and done well, so there is no added pressure on us.”
While India is looking to lift the Champions Trophy, all attention is still on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but at present, any talk of their retirement is speculative.