Perth, Oct 18 (NationPress) Newly appointed ODI captain Shubman Gill expressed his views on leading batting legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, stating that he is open to seeking their guidance during challenging moments.

Both Rohit and Kohli are gearing up to play their final international games on Australian soil in the upcoming week as part of India's lineup for the three-match series in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney.

After taking over the Test captaincy from Rohit earlier this year, Gill has now also stepped into the ODI captaincy role as they embark on their tour of Australia.

India is set to face Australia in three ODIs and five T20Is. Under the new leadership of Gill, the white-ball tour kicks off with the first ODI on Sunday at Perth Stadium, followed by matches at Adelaide Oval and Sydney Cricket Ground on October 23 and 25, respectively. Following the ODIs, India will compete against Australia in a five-match T20I series led by Suryakumar Yadav, scheduled from October 29 to November 8.

During a press conference on Saturday about guiding the two former captains, Gill remarked, "These are the kinds of players I idolized as a child. Their style of play and relentless drive have always inspired me. It’s a tremendous honor to lead such legends and learn from them."

He further added, "Throughout the series, there were numerous opportunities for me to gain insights from their extensive experience. In any tough situation, I won’t hesitate to seek their suggestions or advice."

When asked about his learning experiences playing under Rohit and Kohli, Gill shared, "There were several aspects I admired as a player. Their methods of communication and how they interacted with teammates significantly contributed to my development on the field."

"As a captain now, I aspire to create an environment where all my players feel secure in their roles, and my expectations are clearly communicated."

He continued, "With 15-20 years of service to Indian cricket, I have absorbed a wealth of knowledge while playing alongside them. The skill set and experience they bring to the team are incredibly difficult to replicate."

"Their global success, their ability to score runs, win series, and lift trophies will be invaluable for us."

After announcing their T20I retirements post the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados last year, Rohit and Kohli are poised to play critical roles in determining India’s ODI success in Australia.

With this series being the last one where Kohli and Rohit will compete in Australia before the 2027 World Cup, their contributions will be closely watched.