Shubman Gill Reflects on the Honour of Leading Cricket Greats

Shubman Gill is excited to lead the Indian ODI side in Australia that is full of legends. He made the remarks while speaking to the media ahead of the ODI series. Having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI squad lifts not just the team’s morale but Gill’s confidence as well. He is optimistic that both players will help him to learn the leadership role that has been given to him recently by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

It is a known fact that players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are idols of many young cricket stars. Shubman Gill is also one of those players who has grown up watching these two players on television. Now, he has been given a chance to lead them on the Australian soil where the Indian team has registered many memorable victories. The young captain is looking forward to this opportunity with high enthusiasm, as both these players can play a key role for him in the upcoming matches.

"These are the kind of players I used to idolise when I was growing up. The kind of hunger that they had used to inspire me. It is a big honour for me to be able to lead such legends of the game. I am sure there would be so many moments in this series where I would be able to learn from them. If I get in a difficult position, I wouldn't shy away from taking advice from them." said Shubman Gill while talking to the reporters.

He further explained that the bonding inside the dressing room is the same as it was before. While he is in charge of the captaincy now, the role will allow him to keep learning plenty of things from Rohit Sharma on this tour. He termed the veteran batter very helpful, as well as a guiding light for the youngsters.  

"The narrative that goes on outside is different. There's nothing like that between us - things are just as they were before. He is very helpful. And whatever he has learned from his experience, or if I think I need some help, I ask him what he would have done in a particular situation.” said Shubman Gill.

The young batter further explained that he does not shy away from taking suggestions. He said it gives him an advantage in understanding situations better and making decisions accordingly.

"I like to know everyone's thoughts and then decide as per my understanding of the game. In that respect, I have a great equation with both Virat bhai and Rohit bhai. Whenever I have a doubt, I go to them and take their suggestion, advice, and they also don't hesitate in sharing [their knowledge]." added Shubman Gill.

He also said that playing with added responsibility brings the best out of him. It is something that gives him more motivation, as the team and fans rely on him. This statement holds some value at the moment because Shubman Gill has performed tremendously well in test matches since taking charge as the captain.

"I like it when I have the additional responsibility. The pressure brings out my best. I enjoy that responsibility, though I feel when I go out to bat, I take the best decision when I think as a batsman and do not think too much about being a captain and thinking like one.” said Shubman Gill.

The captain added that he does not want to come under extra pressure by thinking like a leader while batting. He usually tries to analyze the situation as a specialist batter, because it gives him better ideas on how to score runs at that moment.

"When I do that, then I put myself under extra pressure. As a batsman, I think what the team needs the most at that moment. So I try to take decisions as Shubman Gill the batsman rather than taking that additional responsibility of scoring all the runs or finishing the match." said Shubman Gill.

The ODI series between India and Australia is slated to start from October 19 at Perth. Both teams are gearing up for the challenge, as they know the importance of this series in the context of the 2027 ODI World Cup. It would be interesting to see how India performs under Gill, who has recently won his first test series as captain against the West Indies.