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Great Indian spinner Anil Kumble has praised Shubman Gill ahead of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting from June 13 in Dharamshala. All eyes will be on Gill’s captaincy as the Men in Blue begin preparations for the ICC World Cup 2027.
After six ODI matches, the Indian team is yet to win the ODI series under Gill’s leadership, so the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan is expected to give a better idea of how the team is going to proceed. Afghanistan series is an important test for Shubman Gill before the ODI World Cup 2027.
After India’s 2025 Champions Trophy win, Rohit Sharma was removed from the ODI captaincy and the responsibility was given to Shubman Gill. However, Rohit and Virat Kohli remain very important parts of India’s ODI setup after their retirement from Tests and T20Is.
Anil Kumble impressed by Shubman Gill’s smart captaincy
Before the India vs Afghanistan ODI series, Anil Kumble had strongly supported the captaincy of Shubman Gill. The former Indian head coach said that Gill has already shown good signs as a captain, especially in IPL 2026, where he led Gujarat Titans to the final.
Kumble was really impressed by the way Gill used his bowlers with good timing, rotated his options well and handled pressure situations well in IPL 2026. Also, the right-handed batsman scores a lot of runs for his team, which makes him a valuable leader in the long run.
“We have seen in the IPL that he (Shubman Gill) has rotated his bowlers well, used his spinners at the right time and handled pressure situations with clarity. His form with the bat has not diminished,” Anil Kumble said on Geostar.
Notably, Shubman Gill finished IPL 2026 as the second leading run scorer with 732 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 163.02. He scored one century and six half-centuries in the tournament and went on to lead the GT.
Anil Kumble wants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to help Shubman Gill; Jai Ho Prince Yadav
The former Indian captain also stressed the importance of having experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the young team. He believes he can help Gill with inputs on field placements, bowling changes and match situations.
“They (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) can guide him in field placements, bowling changes and key tactical decisions. Shubman does not need to carry the burden alone,” Kumble said.
He also praised Prince Yadav, who has earned his first call-up, saying that his “variety, cutters, slower balls and yorkers make him an all-round bowler.” Kumble said that Yadav should be given enough opportunities to establish himself in international cricket.
Virat Kohli is out of the team after injury in IPL 2026
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli recently had a strong IPL 2026 campaign, where he scored 675 runs in 16 matches and helped RCB successfully retain their title. He also scored a match-winning half-century in the IPL 2026 final for RCB against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
However, Kohli suffered a hamstring injury during the final and has now been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. He is expected to return to action on the England tour next month.
Rohit Sharma has also recently regained his match fitness after a week’s training at the BCCI Center of Excellence. He also suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2026. But Rohit Sharma returned to India’s ODI team against Afghanistan.
