"Don't feel pressure" - Shubman Gill's stunning response to Virat Kohli's "time for youngsters to take over" comment

Following the win over South Africa in the final of the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Virat Kohli made an interesting comment.

India beat South Africa by 7 runs in the title decider to win the T20 World Cup after a gap of 17 years. Unlike India's victory in 2007 where a young MS Dhoni-led side had led a youthful team to victory, India's charge in the latest T20 World Cup was led by experienced players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Soon after the final, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as well as Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirements from the shortest format of the game. While announcing his retirement at the post-match presentation ceremony, Virat Kohli made it clear that the transition phase of India's T20I team has begun.

The former India skipper stated that the time is right for the youngsters to take charge of the team in the shortest format of the game. Confirming that the final against South Africa was his last T20I for Team India, Kohli had said:

"This was going to be my last T20 World Cup playing for India. It's time for the next generation to take over.

"It's a 2-year cycle and there are some amazing players playing in India and they are going to take the team forward in the T20 format and do wonders as we have seen them do in the IPL and I have no doubts that they will keep the flags waving high and take this team further from here now," he had added.

Shubman Gill reacts to Virat Kohli's comments:

In India's first assignment after becoming the T20 world champions, Shubman Gill is leading the team. With most of the senior players rested after the T20 World Cup, the youngster has been given the responsibility to lead the side in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

And he was asked about Kohli's comment at the toss for the first T20I on Saturday. The young batter was asked whether he was under pressure after Kohli's remark. In reply, he said: "Don't feel pressure, you have expectations but from yourself, not from outside."

"We want to have a look at the target and have the runs on the board. World Cup has been long coming, winning after 11 years. Very satisfied, hope many more to come. Three debutants: Abhishek, Riyan, Jurel," Gill said at the toss in Harare," he added as he won the toss and opted to bowl first.