Sachin Tendulkar has advised India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, to block out external criticism about his captaincy style on the upcoming England tour. Tendulkar believes Gill is set to “do something special” and predicts a 3-1 series victory for India in the five-Test series.
“My advice to him [Gill] would be that he should not worry about what x, y, z is saying,” Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo. “His captaincy, whether Shubman is being aggressive, or defensive, or attacking enough, or not a proactive captain, or active captain – whatever that opinion is, it’s only an opinion and it’s from outside. I think what he needs to think about is what was discussed in the dressing room – when they are planning something, are they going according to that plan and whether the decision being made is in the interests of the team – that is what he needs to think about and not about the outside world.”
Tendulkar urged Gill to prioritise the team’s goals and savour the honour of leading India, emphasising the importance of focusing on advice from within the dressing room rather than outside noise.
Gill, 25, steps into the captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement and will bat at the pivotal No. 4 position, a spot held by legends Tendulkar and Virat Kohli over the decades. With high expectations resting on his shoulders, Tendulkar is confident in Gill’s ability to rise to the occasion. “It’s a huge responsibility to bat at any number for India, and the belief people have in Shubman is a positive sign,” he said, underscoring the faith the team and fans have in Gill’s potential.
During his extensive career, Tendulkar amassed a remarkable 13,492 runs batting at No. 4, underlining the importance and pressure associated with the position. As Gill embraces this role, Tendulkar advises him to approach it with determination and commitment.
On tackling England’s fast bowlers, Tendulkar shared some precise technical tips for the young Indian batters. He emphasised the significance of respecting the conditions and developing a “solid front-foot defence,” which he considers crucial on English pitches. “If you can defend well on the front foot to a fast bowler, then the rest of the things will fall into place,” he explained.
With the historical rivalry and challenging conditions in England, the expectations and stakes are high for Gill and his team. As he prepares to lead a youthful squad against England, the blend of Tendulkar’s wisdom with Gill’s fresh leadership might prove to be a fruitful combination in this closely-watched series.
