India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill has quashed the rumours of a dressing room rift in the team ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. India are set to take on Kiwis in the 50-over format, beginning on January 11 in Vadodara. Ahead of the series, Gill quashed the reports of a possible dressing room rift with the return of star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team.
With both batting stalwarts proving their worth for the ODI World Cup 2027, there were rumours of a possible rift with the team management and the senior duo. However, Gill has categorically denied any such claims, praising Kohli and Rohit’s commitment towards Indian cricket.
“I think the team atmosphere is amazing. The players that you named have been in this atmosphere for decades and they are the people who always, try to push the Indian cricket team forward. Even in the last series, you saw how well they performed, so I think the atmosphere of the team is great right now,” Gill said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.
Gill also reflected on India’s recent struggles in Test cricket and blamed the tight scheduling for team’s poor show in the longest format.
“I don’t know. Maybe it would be easier to have a little loose calendar. Maybe it would be easier. I don’t think in 2016, 2017, 2018, there was a time when, if you, if you’re coming from another country, we sure you’re playing a match on the 4th day. Maybe it’s easier to play a match on the 10th day. Maybe it’s easier to play a match on the 12th day. It gives a bit of freedom for the players as well, and it gives you that time to prepare and feel confident for the next series,” he added.
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