Team India are all set to begin their Test journey under the new captain, Shubman Gill. However, a Test series win in England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is “a bigger” achievement than an IPL title, said India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill in Leeds on Thursday. Gill also said that his young Indian side, without legends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin, will play without any “baggage” in England with the opening Test starting on Friday as well.
“Definitely the Test Series, in my opinion,” Gill responded when he was asked which one he would rank higher as a captain between a Test series win in England or a title in IPL, where he leads Gujarat Titans. “You don’t get many opportunities as a captain to be able to come to England, maybe two (tours) if you are the best of your generation, (or) maybe three.”
“IPL comes every year and you get to have a crack at it every year. In my opinion, winning a Test Series in England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa (collectively SENA countries) is bigger,” he again said.
ALSO READ: “He is the most successful Indian Test captain” – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli
However, Shubman Gill’s team may be lacking in experience of playing Test cricket in England, but the skipper was unfazed with it as well.
“A lot of people talk about, you know, our side is not experienced, but there are also positives that we don’t really have any baggage coming to England, because not all of the players have really been to England. So that could be one thing that really makes a difference for us because we wouldn’t be carrying any baggage,” he added.
“The blueprint which we have got from our seniors in the last 5-10 years is that we can go and win anywhere, we will try to follow that with same confidence.” Gill said both he and head coach Gautam Gambhir felt the No. 4 slot was ideal for him following Virat Kohli’s retirement. “After Virat Bhai retired, me and GG (Gautam Gambhir) bhai had a discussion about it and we were both clear that he wanted me to bat at No. 4 and I was also clear that I also wanted to bat at that number.”
He once again said that creating a “secure” environment for his players is essential to ensure they deliver their best. He also emphasised giving longer ropes to deserving players as well.
ALSO READ: “I did get a couple of hints” – AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement
“If we succeed in creating that environment, then I think our Test series and WTC cycle will be very successful. It’s about (having) clear communication; what you want from them? Trying to assign roles, how they would want to go about their things. Having the confidence to be able to back them with their natural game (as to) how they want to play this game,” he said.
“Definitely there would be some players that you tend to give long ropes just because of their pure potential that you see. But having said that, it’s all about giving them clear communication and having honest conversations with them and that’s how I feel the bond of a leader and a player is (at) the best,” he further added.
Shubman Gill also acknowledged that he picked the brains of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the IPL to prepare for the England tour.
“I met both of them in the IPL and they told me about their experiences, especially here in England, and some of the challenges that we might face here. I think the Test series that we played against England in India (2023-24) was one of the best that I have been part of and even in that Test series, not many of our senior players were available in every match. How we went about (in) that series was the way that I think the series is also going to be,” he said.
“We actually were waiting, this summer has been a little bit different to the other English summers and it’s been a little bit dry. I was just waiting to see the wicket one last time to see the final combinations and decide on that,” Shubman Gill concluded.
