India captain Shubman Gill has commented on his camaraderie with veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, on the eve of the 1st ODI against Australia in Perth as well. Both Rohit and Kohli will play under Gill’s leadership for the first time during the three-match ODI series, starting October 19 as well. The two stalwarts of the sport will be seen in action again for the first time in the Indian jersey since the ICC Champions Trophy Final earlier this year.
“Whatever the narrative might be there outside, there has been no such thing between us. It is just like old times. He is very helpful, and he always shares his experiences. I have been asking him for his suggestions. I asked him, ‘What would you have done on this wicket if you were the captain?’ I like to pick the brains of other players,” Gill told reporters in Perth on Saturday. “I have a good equation with both Virat and Rohit bhai. I always take their advice, and they are not hesitant when it comes to giving their take.”
Gill, who has impressed so far as captain in Tests, shared his excitement on learning more in terms of captaincy from the two former India captains as well. However, Gill also admitted that he has big shoes to fill to carry forward the legacy as well.
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“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. Definitely, very exciting. Big shoes for me to fill in to carry forward the legacy of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. So many experiences and so many learnings I have had. I have had numerous conversations with both Rohit and Virat on how to take the team forward and what kind of culture they want for the Indian cricket team. I think those learnings and experiences would help our team going forward,” he again added.
“I wouldn’t say it just happens, but I really like it when more responsibility comes onto me. I think when I’m under that kind of pressure, my best game comes out, and I actually enjoy that responsibility. However, when I go out to bat, I believe I make my best decisions when I think purely as a batsman. I don’t want to overthink about being the captain and making decisions as a captain, especially while batting. I feel when you start thinking like that, you end up putting more pressure on yourself,” said Gill.
“As a batsman, whenever I go in, I focus on what the team needs the most at that moment and try to make decisions the way Shubman Gill, the batsman, would make them — rather than thinking ‘I have to finish the match’ or ‘I have to score all the runs’. When you start thinking like that you take extra pressure, and sometimes that freedom you have as a batsman — to take those extra risks, that X-factor — you lose it a bit,” Shubman Gill concluded.
