No discussion on Rohit and Kohli's retirement: Gill
Dubai, Mar 8 (PTI): Speculation is rife on the ODI future of skipper Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli after the Champions Trophy but vice- captain Shubman Gill on Saturday said the Indian dressing room is not discussing retirement of the two modern-day greats.
Kohli and Rohit are still batting strong in the format but it is being discussed in cricketing circles that if India wins the ICC showpiece, both the batters or at least one can call time on his career.
"There is no talk about retirement in the dressing room, now," Gill said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand here on Sunday.
Big match pressure
Gill conceded that there is “big match pressure” on India ahead of the title clash, but was confident of winning the coveted 50-over title that eluded the team during the 2023 World Cup.
"The big-match pressure is always there. The last time (2023) we couldn't do it, but we will try to do it this time. In a big match, the team that takes the pressure out of the equation has a better chance of winning," he said.
Gill cited the example of some of the best teams from the history of cricket to underline his argument.
"This is the reason why we talk about big teams of previous years including West Indies and Australia.
"Those teams played their best cricket in knockouts and used to take out pressure from the big-match equation. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure," he added.
Gill feels privileged to be a part of "best batting line-up" but said the depth in their order allows the top three to express themselves freely.
"This is the best batting line up I am part of. Rohit is one of the best openers (in the world) and Virat, we need not tell about him. But our team has depth in batting and that allows the top order to bat with a bit more freedom," Gill, India's most prolific 50-over batter in the last two years, said.
The elegant opener said playing a match here earlier against New Zealand does not give them any extra advantage.
However, he conceded that the team will feel motivated after winning all their previous four matches at the DICS.
"We have played 4 matches here and we have done really well. But I think the last time we played NZ, despite losing three wickets early, we played a good match and won comfortably. So I don't think there is any added discussion.
"Obviously, we can talk about someone in the top 3-5 firing that would give us a better chance to chase a big total or put up a big total."
Gill said the nature of the Dubai track will come up for discussion later.
"Obviously, the kind of wicket that we will play on would be the discussion. We have not seen a 300-plus total here. The wickets that we are playing on are quite different from the wickets that were being used in Pakistan," he added.
India ended a long barren run in ICC tournaments when they won the T20 World Cup last year, and Gill said the triumph has freed up the team a bit.
"Once you get one title, it gives you the momentum. You are not very desperate about getting the title. It's not good when desperation kicks in.”
However Gill said the hunger of the team to win more titles has not been satiated.
"But winning the title in 2024 doesn't mean that we are less hungry, but I think it kind of gives us more balance that we have won an ICC title and we will try to do our best to win this one," he noted.
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
