India's bowling coach highlights the value of senior players ahead of the West Indies ODI series.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to return to India's ODI squad for the three-match series against West Indies beginning on Sunday. The return of these two senior batsmen marks a significant moment for the Indian team as it looks to rebuild momentum following a 1-2 series defeat in England during July.
Morne Morkel, India's bowling coach, addressed the media at the pre-match press conference ahead of the opening fixture. Morkel highlighted the value that experienced players bring to the squad, particularly in supporting captain Shubman Gill and other members of the team.
"It's always great to have that experience back in the team, to guide Shubman as well. I must say Shubman has done an exceptional job so far leading the team. But I'm always a big believer in senior players and how they shape the team," Morkel said in a press conference.
"I think different players in the team will feel more comfortable speaking to a certain senior individual and we're quite fortunate that we've got a lot of experience in that. So, if Virat or Rohit are leading the conversation, there's a lot of game time and a lot of experience in those conversations that can only be great for the team. We are quite fortunate that we've got that experience with the senior players," he added.
Kohli and Sharma's ODI credentials
Kohli's ODI record stands as one of the most prolific in international cricket. The right-handed batter has accumulated 14,941 runs across 314 ODIs and 302 innings at an average of 58.59, including 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His consistency and match-winning ability have made him a cornerstone of India's batting lineup across multiple formats.
Sharma brings his own considerable experience to the squad. The opening batter has scored 11,895 runs in 288 ODI matches and 280 innings at an average of 48.95, with 34 centuries and 62 fifties to his name. Both players represent decades of combined international experience that can guide younger members of the squad.
The Indian ODI squad for the series:
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (VC), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Naman Dhir.