NEW DELHI: India ODI captain: Shubman Gill throwing his weight behind Virat Kohli: and: Rohit Sharmainsisting that the veteran duo continues to be central to India’s plans as the team builds towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.Addressing the speculation surrounding the future of the two senior batters ahead of the three-match ODI series against England, Gill made it clear that their place in the side is not in question. “Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai, they have been the backbone of the Indian batting lineup for the past decade. And they remain a very important part of our team,” Gill told reporters ahead of the first ODI in Birmingham on Tuesday. The captain said the value of the two goes beyond runs, highlighting the wealth of experience they bring to pressure situations.“The experience and expertise they bring to the team is obviously invaluable. We have seen what they have done in the last decade in different situations, again and again, consistently, in many games, different tournaments, different occasions.Gill’s comments come after the chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently said senior players should not be “put to the test” every series, with questions continuing to arise over India’s transfer plans.The 26-year-old also stressed the importance of experience in any successful side.“If you have an experienced line-up in any team, then I think in a pressure situation, experience will help you a lot. Because you have been in that situation many times, and you have done good and bad.While India has reiterated that it is using the ODIs in England to fine-tune combinations for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Gill said the team is looking to expose young players without disrupting its settled core.“I don’t think it’s an unsettled XI … you have to give new players a chance. You have to give them experience.”For Gill, India’s future planning does not come at the expense of proven match winners. However, the captain sees Rohit and Virat continuing to provide the stability around which the next generation can unite.