Ro-Ko’s experience to boost Gill’s leadership during Australia series, feels Axar

All-rounder Axar Patel feels that the presence of the star-batting duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play a key role in guiding new ODI captain Shubman Gill and shaping India’s strategy during the upcoming three-match series against Australia, starting in Perth on Sunday.

Speaking after India’s training session, Axar said the presence of the two stalwarts would greatly benefit Gill’s leadership.

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“For Gill, it’s perfect, Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are there, and along with that, they have been captains, so they can give their input also, so it is very good growth of Gill’s captaincy,” Axar said.

“What has been good about Gill’s captaincy thus far is that he has not been pressurised.”

Axar, who returns to action in Australia for the first time since the 2022 T20 World Cup, said the team is now far more comfortable with local conditions and is focusing on strategy rather than worrying about the pitches.

“I feel that since 2015 (his first visit Down Under), there have been a lot of changes. When we used to come, the talk was about pitches, conditions, bounce, and we used to play less as well,” he said.

“When we come now, it doesn’t feel like Australian conditions, and we have to be more ready. We are now thinking about where we can make runs, so we talk about strategy and timing. We are not talking about the pitch, we are talking about how we can strategise.”

With Ravindra Jadeja rested, Axar is expected to play a key all-round role in the series. The tour of Australia marks the beginning of a busy stretch for India, with five T20Is to follow and an all-format home series against South Africa lined up for November and December.

“I am very confident about this series. In the Asia Cup, I did well both with bat and ball. After a long time — since the 2022 T20 World Cup — I would be playing in Australia. I am ready for the challenge,” he said.

After the first ODI in Perth, 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.