Shubman Gill Defends ODI Format Amid Controversy Over Virat Kohli's Career Choices
Shubman Gill Responds to Criticism of Virat Kohli
Shubman Gill, the captain of Team India for both ODI and Test formats, subtly addressed comments made by former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar regarding Virat Kohli's choice to focus on ODIs. This discussion arose ahead of the first ODI in a three-match series against New Zealand at the Kottambi Cricket Stadium in Vadodara.
Manjrekar ignited debate by suggesting that Kohli opted out of Test cricket instead of addressing his shortcomings, drawing a comparison with England's Joe Root during the recent Ashes series. He expressed disappointment over Kohli's decision to pursue what he termed the 'easiest format' of the game.
Following backlash from fans and cricket analysts who defended Kohli's accomplishments, Manjrekar later clarified his statement, indicating that many players prefer batting in ODIs due to the format's comparatively lower challenges than Test cricket. Although he did not name Kohli directly, it was widely interpreted as a reference to him.
Gill's Take on the ODI Format
During a press conference before the ODI match against New Zealand, Gill was questioned about Manjrekar's assertion that ODIs are the simplest format. He firmly stated that no format should be considered easy, emphasizing that if ODIs were indeed the simplest, India would have secured every World Cup since 2011.
Gill pointed out the resilience and effort required to triumph in significant ICC tournaments, stating, "The Indian cricket team hasn’t won a World Cup since 2011, so if it was that easy, we would be winning the World Cup every second year."
He added, "It’s easy to say that, but I don’t think any format is easy. It requires a lot of resilience, persistence, and determination to win major ICC tournaments."
Kohli's Focus on ODIs
Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is after India's T20 World Cup victory in 2024 and stepped away from Test cricket prior to the England tour in May 2025, is now concentrating solely on ODIs. He aims to extend his illustrious career until the 2027 World Cup, which may mark his farewell to international cricket.
Kohli is set to play his first of 18 ODIs this year against New Zealand at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. His performance has been remarkable since his retirement from Tests and T20Is.
In the ODI series against South Africa in December 2025, Kohli scored 302 runs, including two centuries and a fifty, averaging 151 across three matches. He continued this momentum in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored a century and a fifty, marking his return to India's domestic List-A tournament after a 15-year hiatus.
In his last five matches, including the Sydney ODI against Australia and the ODI series against South Africa, Kohli has accumulated 684 runs, featuring three centuries and three fifties, with an impressive average of 228.00 as he prepares for the 2027 World Cup.
Throughout his ODI career, Kohli has amassed 14,557 runs, with 53 centuries and 76 fifties, maintaining an average of 58.46 over 308 matches.