India had, at times, struggled to make breakthroughs during the middle-overs phase in the just-concluded three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, but Gill insisted the team's selection is focused on building a pace attack capable of creating opportunities even when conditions are not in the bowlers' favour.

"Honestly, [with] the combinations and the kind of bowlers that we are trying to play, that's what we are trying to create as many opportunities as we can. In that middle phase, we have seen once the ball gets old, on a good wicket with only four fielders outside, batting does get very easy. So, that's the idea behind having [someone like] Gurnoor [Brar], in the squad, someone like a Prasidh [Krishna], even a Harshit [Rana]. Tall fast bowlers, [because] they offer a little bit more to us.

"We're trying to do that. Someone like [Nitish Kumar] Reddy, it's important to give him that many overs in the middle, even if we know that we have got maybe better bowlers for those conditions who can give us the wickets. But it's important for us that players like that have some confidence going into the skyexchange cricket," the India captain noted in Chennai after India swept the series 3-0.

Gill's comments came on the back of Prasidh Krishna's maiden fifer in ODIs after enduring an expensive outing previously in the series. Prasidh, who's donned a different hat in the Gujarat Titans' bowling attack - also under Gill's leadership - was nearly unplayable with the new ball in helpful conditions in Chennai, claiming 4 for just 6 runs in his five-over burst in the Powerplay. He eventually finished with 5 for 23 in 8.2 overs, claiming the fifth wicket in death overs.

The India captain hinted Prasidh's role may change going forward, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah expected to return before major assignments. Gill noted that the team management wants its seamers to remain adaptable rather than become tied to specific roles.

"It's about being flexible. There is not a certain role," Gill said on Prasidh's role definition. "When we go to England, hopefully [Jasprit] Bumrah bhai comes back in. So, he is going to bowl the new ball if need be. Prasidh could be one-change bowler or can maybe bowl with the new ball. We're seeing different kind of combinations and we encourage bowlers - whether they are bowling with the new ball or as the first-change - to go all out.

"We spoke about giving short spells to bowlers, especially bowlers like Prasidh or Gurnoor [Brar]. We give them 3-4 over spells, and tell them to bowl their heart out, bowl as fast as they can."

Brar was, in fact, the find of the series for the hosts. The debutant pacer returned figures of 3-27 and 3-60 in the first-two games, continuing to justify the faith shown in him by the selectors and the management. While pleased with the youngster's performance, Gill said there were still aspects of his game that would improve with experience at the highest level.

"I think he ticked most of the boxes, but there are some things that you only learn with experience and hopefully, he is going to keep growing as a bowler," Gill said. "If I have to be really critical, he did go for a little bit of runs. He was a little bit inconsistent at times, but he is a young, he is playing his first series at the top level and he is bowling quick. He has got all the good signs that we want from a young, tall, fast bowler. With experience, he is only going to get better."

Gill said the emergence of several quick bowlers capable of consistently operating above 140kph was a positive sign for Indian cricket and reflected the depth currently available to the national side.

"Very encouraging [signs]. It's great signs for Indian cricket that we can keep grooming fast bowlers who can bowl at that pace consistently. Thin right now we have a good bunch of fast bowlers who can bowl 140 plus, are tall, can hit those areas and can still create opportunities with the old ball when there is nothing much offered from the wicket or from the conditions."