‘I also wanted to bat at that number': Shubman Gill on slotting in at No.4 in England series
India Test captain Shubman Gill said that after Virat Kohli retired last month, both him and head coach Gautam Gambhir felt that the 25-year-old will slot in the No.4 position in the batting lineup in the 5-match Test series against England, scheduled to start from Friday.
'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 said.
Gill also revealed that he had picked the brains of both his predecessors in Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the IPL in order to prepare for the England series.
'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,' he said.
'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 added.
The captain once again talked on creating a 'secure' environment for his players to ensure they deliver their best.
'If we succeed in creating that environment, then I think our Test series and WTC cycle will be very successful,' he said.
Gill also emphasised on giving longer ropes to deserving players.
'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 added.
(With agency inputs)
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