Shubman Gill, newly appointed as India’s Test captain, is set for the challenging tour of England. Sitting alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir in Mumbai, Gill exuded confidence as he addressed the media, a necessity as he prepares to lead a team keen to move past recent series losses to New Zealand and Australia.
Speaking candidly, Gill stressed the importance of clear communication and creating a secure environment within the team. “There is no particular style of captaincy that I want to follow,” Gill stated. “What I like is communication with the players, making the players feel secure, talking to them, giving them comfort around their weaknesses and strengths.”
At just 25, Gill steps into big shoes, succeeding Rohit Sharma. He recognises the benefits of drawing from past leadership experiences, noting, “Rohit bhai was very clear with his communication from what he wanted from the players. That was his great quality which I would want to inherit from him.” His aim is to lead by example and performance, crucial as India approaches the start of the new World Test Championship cycle.
Gill acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained unfazed. “There is pressure on every tour,” he said, downplaying expectations related to replacing senior players. “It’s tough to fill the gaps left by the experienced players who won us so many matches over the years. But there’s no different pressure as such.”
With a balanced mix of talent and experience, Gill is confident in the team’s strengths, promising clarity and stability. As India heads to England, attention turns to forming the right team composition, yet to be finalised before the first Test on 20th June. His approach, focused on fostering a supportive, communicative team environment, reflects a thoughtful start to his captaincy tenure.
