Shubman Gill Puts Faith in Virat Kohli as India Step Up World Cup Preparations

Shubman Gill is not looking to change Virat Kohli. He is happy to let one of India’s most experienced batters trust his instincts.

As India begin their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kohli delivered another reminder of why Gill is willing to give him that freedom. The former India captain smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against the West Indies on Sunday, September 27, powering India to a seven-wicket win while chasing 296.

Kohli’s fourth ODI century in his last 11 innings came in typically emphatic fashion. After taking 40 balls to reach his fifty, he shifted gears and finished with 10 fours and nine sixes.

For Gill, there is little need to prescribe how Kohli should bat.

“Someone like him, who has won so many games for the country. Who has done it over and over again, you just let him play however he wants to play on the day because when he plays well, he can win matches for you,” Gill said after India’s victory in the first ODI.

Kohli’s new ODI approach

The innings was another example of how Kohli’s approach to ODI batting has evolved.

Rather than spending a large part of his innings building a platform before accelerating late, Kohli is now looking to increase the tempo earlier and put pressure on the opposition.

He admitted that finding this extra gear has become an important challenge at this stage of his career.

“I’ve got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and play a gear or two higher, and yeah, that was exciting for me to work on,” Kohli said.

The 37-year-old added that discovering a different version of himself remains a source of motivation.

“It excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help any team that you play for, be it playing for India or in the IPL.”

Against the West Indies, that version was on show once again.

Kohli’s unbeaten 139 came at a strike rate above 157 and formed the decisive part of India’s chase. His 151-run partnership with Gill provided the foundation, with Gill contributing 110 from 108 balls.

But once Kohli accelerated, the contest quickly moved beyond the West Indies.

Milestones keep following Kohli

The century also added several landmarks to Kohli’s already extensive ODI record.

It was his 25th ODI century in a successful chase, taking him further ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 14.

Kohli also became only the second batter after Tendulkar to cross 15,000 ODI runs, reaching the mark in 303 innings and becoming the fastest player to the milestone.

His hundred took him level with Sunil Gavaskar for the most international centuries against the West Indies, with both having 13. He also equalled his own record for the most ODI centuries against a single opponent, with 10 each against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Another significant milestone came during the chase when Kohli moved past Tendulkar to become India’s leading ODI run-scorer on home soil. He now has 7,006 runs from 131 ODIs in India.

He also brought up 200 ODI sixes and equalled Tendulkar’s record of 60 List A centuries.

Yet it was the way he scored those runs that drew the most attention.

Kohli said his recent freedom with the bat has been closely linked to his physical preparation.

“It’s really helped me a lot to play with a free mind, and I think that’s what’s working for me,” he said.

“But I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body. So for me it works the other way around. I stay physically fit and then I’m able to visualise the game in the way that I want to play.”

Gill thinking beyond the top order

While Kohli’s form gives India an experienced match-winner at the top, Gill is already looking at the larger challenge of building a balanced squad for the 2027 World Cup.

The first ODI highlighted India’s top-order strength. Rohit Sharma provided an attacking start before Gill and Kohli took charge with their 151-run stand.

But Gill wants India to have batting depth that can withstand difficult situations.

“Ideally yes. We would want an 8th batting option. Someone who can contribute 25-30 runs,” he said.

Gill pointed to previous matches where India had been in strong positions but failed to reach the totals they were targeting.

“So number 8 becomes a crucial position for us. But we are open to trying different combinations and seeing what works for us,” he added.

That search for the right combination will continue as India build towards 2027.

For Kohli, meanwhile, the message from his captain is uncomplicated. He has spent years winning matches for India, and his latest innings suggests he is still finding new ways to do it.

Gill’s approach is therefore less about managing Kohli and more about giving him the freedom to manage his own game.

For now, India’s captain is happy to trust the batter.