Finch backs Gill’s leadership ahead of maiden ODI series as India captain

Australia great Aaron Finch expressed keen interest in seeing how Shubman Gill handles leadership responsibilities in his maiden ODI assignment as captain, particularly with the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli by his side in the upcoming three-match rubber DownUnder.

The BCCI selectors on Saturday announced a strong 15-member squad for the series against Australia, with Gill set to lead the side for the first time in the format after being named as Rohit’s successor.

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Rohit, however, remains part of the setup and is expected to provide ample support to Gill, having been included in the squad for the series that begins in Perth on October 19. Former captain Kohli has also been named and is in line to make his first international appearance since the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Finch, who was a constant threat to India during his playing days and a key member of Australia’s 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup-winning team on home soil, expects the contest to be tightly fought, with his former side just edging out the hosts.

“It will be a great series. It always is against India and I think having Virat back in there brings out the best in him against Australia. It’s always a great battle when you look at it on paper as it’s very evenly matched, but I’d say Australia (win the series) 2-1,” Finch, who currently is part of the commentary team for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, told ICC Digital.

“Not confidently though as India are a great side and it will just be a great series to watch.”

Finch also hailed Shubman’s leadership skills in T20 and Test cricket, and expects the youngster to continue the trend in the 50-over format.

“Shubman has already shown what a good leader he is in T20 cricket and Test cricket, so I’m sure this will be no different,” Finch noted.

“He’s a brilliant player, particularly in the white-ball formats and the way that he captained against England in the Test series is just a huge tick in his box to take the next step and take over the Indian leadership right the way through (all three formats).

“I think when you look back to that England Test series he (Gill) didn’t have many other options that he could turn to for advice, probably when he was out on the ground, but he did a wonderful job himself.

“But I think just having those guys (Rohit and Kohli) there will be a real calmness for him as well, because it’s the ability to bounce ideas, both on and off the field on how you want the team to function going forward, because they’ve been such a huge part of the team for a long period of time,” he added.

After the first ODI in Perth on October 19, the second match will be played in Adelaide on October 23 followed by the third in Sydney on October 25. The ODI series will be followed by a five-match T20I rubber, starting October 29.