India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has highlighted the importance of having Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the dressing room and how their presence is helping Shubman Gill. He also hailed the current ODI captain for leading the team from the front. Ahead of the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, Morkel opened up on the roles of Kohli and Rohit in the dressing room.

With Gill calling the shots, India are making sure that young members of the team continue to learn from the two star batters. Morkel suggested their value extends beyond the on-field performances, and the two are doing a fantastic job by helping in the development of the Indian cricketers.

“It is good to have experience in the team. Shubman Gill has done a fantastic job as a captain, and he is also learning from the two senior members of the team,” Morkel said.

“Senior players can shape the team, and I think there are players in the team who feel comfortable speaking to a senior cricketer, and we are fortunate that we have got a lot of experience,” he added.

The team management is finding ways to make sure that young players interact with Kohli and Rohit. They should learn about the challenges the two have faced in their long international careers.

“We are fortunate that we have experienced members with us, and we keep challenging the guys to have the conversation with the senior guys,” he revealed.

“We question senior guys in the team meeting as it will help the other members of the squad,” he concluded.

Virat and Rohit are only active in the fifty-over format, having retired from T20Is and Test cricket. The two were last seen in action during three ODIs against England. Rohit scored a hundred in the third and final game at Lord’s while Kohli posted two consecutive half-centuries.