Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill have delivered a sensational batting show in the first ODI, as India thrashed West Indies by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram.
However, it was the strong bond between Kohli and Gill that caught the attention during their 151-run partnership in the first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. After the match, Kohli opened up about his chemistry with Gill. Earlier, Mohammad Kaif recalled Virat Kohli’s ODI retirement talks after 55th ton.
Virat Kohli opens up about his chemistry with Shubman Gill
Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI on its social media handles, Virat Kohli said that he has known Shubman Gill since the youngster first entered the India National Cricket Team. Over the years, their relationship has developed into a relaxed and friendly partnership.
Kohli feels that when senior players remain relaxed and enjoy themselves, it also helps younger players handle pressure better. Virat Kohli said in the BCCI video, “I’ve known him from the time since he came into the team. I’ve always shared like a very free-flowing and fun-filled camaraderie with him. At the end of the day, you make a conscious effort. Now he is in a leadership position; I have been in that position for a long time, and now I am a senior player.”
The former Indian captain added, “So, when senior players or the leaders in the team are smiling and laughing, keeping the environment light, all the other players feel like, ‘Yeah, there’s no problem at all.’ Even if it is a big pressure game, everyone is laughing and having fun; it just relaxes the other guys because we are not taking pressure.”
Virat Kohli reveals secret behind his special bond with Shubman Gill
It was the second time Kohli and Gill had crossed the 150-run partnership mark in ODIs. Their biggest stand remains the 189-run partnership against Sri Lanka during the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai.
And Kohli shared that their easy friendship and natural conversation at the crease make things easy for both. Amid this,”Virat Kohli-like traits”: Aakash Chopra praises Shubman Gill.
The right-hander added, “When you bat with a player like that, we hardly even talk about the match. Idhar udhar ki baate ho rahi hoti hai (We just talk about random things here and there), because he knows what to do and I know what to do.”
Virat Kohli reveals secret behind his longevity after historic feat
The former Indian captain also stressed that a player can have a long and successful career only by focusing on helping the team win, not just on personal records, as he became the only second player to reach 15000 runs in ODI cricket after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli signed off by saying, “You can only play for that long if you are looking to make the team win. You can’t play that long for numbers, because in your need to get numbers, you will compromise on the main goal, and you can’t play for long in that manner. So, I’m lucky to have been in this position for so long, and of course, a big number like that to tick off along the way to another win is quite special.”
India and the West Indies will now travel to Guwahati for the second ODI, which will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, September 30.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
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