India captain Shubman Gill has described himself as 'extremely lucky' to have veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad as the team builds its campaign toward the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Speaking ahead of the third ODI against the West Indies, Gill called the duo's experience invaluable to a side entering a new leadership era.

Gill on Rohit and Kohli's value

"I feel extremely lucky. Virat bhai is probably the best ODI batter, and Rohit bhai is the best ODI opener in the world," Gill said in an interaction with JioStar. "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's great, and we really enjoy having them in the team. And their experience is very valuable for us."

Gill, who took over as India's Test and ODI captain, was at pains to clarify that his reliance on senior counsel extends beyond the famed pair. He also draws on KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer when shaping his tactical thinking.

How Gill processes advice

"Often, not just those two; 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," he said. The captain added that he typically finds he has already considered most suggestions, but treats the exercise as a learning process regardless.

"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.

The 2027 World Cup as 'unfinished business'

Gill has publicly framed the upcoming 2027 World Cup as 'unfinished business' for India, following a strong but ultimately disappointing previous campaign. The team's preparations are already underway through the current ODI series against the West Indies, with the young captain expected to anchor the multi-year build-up.

Notably, this is the first major cycle in which India enters a World Cup build-up under a captain who is not Rohit Sharma or M S Dhoni — a generational shift that makes the presence of established names in the batting order all the more significant as a bridging mechanism.

Captaincy as responsibility, not pressure

Gill also addressed the weight of leadership, insisting the armband has not added to his personal pressure. "I look at it more like a responsibility. Even while growing up, it was not really my dream that I had to become India's captain one day. My dream was always to play for the country and win matches for my country," he said.

"So, when I got this opportunity to captain, obviously, it was a big honour and a big responsibility... I don't feel that much pressure about this thing because I feel that if I do things with the right intent, then everything will fall into place," Gill added. The sentiment reflects a deliberate effort to reframe the captaincy narrative around team outcomes rather than individual burden.

With the West Indies ODI series continuing to serve as a testing ground, all eyes will be on how Gill marshals the blend of experience and youth he has been handed — and whether India's World Cup planning gathers early momentum.