New Delhi: After being appointed Test captain and T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill has now ascended to the role of ODI captain solidifying his position as one of cricket’s rare all-format players holding leadership roles in each. While aware of the immense mental toll such responsibility can take Gill is prepared to face the challenge head-on to achieve his goals for the Indian team.
Physically, I usually feel fine but yes sometimes there is mental fatigue,”
Gill stated on the eve of the second Test against the West Indies in his first press conference since being named India’s ODI skipper.
When you are constantly playing, there’s a certain expectation I have from myself and keeping up with that becomes the challenge. But that’s the challenge I have to go through if I want to play and succeed in all formats for the country and win ICC titles.”
Gill, who replaces Rohit Sharma as the ODI leader will captain former full-time captains Rohit and Virat Kohli in the upcoming three-match series in Australia. Despite speculation surrounding the future of the two senior players Gill emphasized their invaluable role leading up to the next World Cup.
“Absolutely,” Gill affirmed when asked about their importance.
The experience they both have is immense, and very few players can match the number of matches they have won for India. To have that skill, quality and experience in the team is something we look at from a very positive perspective.”
When asked what qualities he would like to inherit from his predecessor, Gill highlighted two key traits:
There are so many qualities I have inherited from Rohit bhai the calmness he possesses and the kind of friendship he fosters within the group are things I aspire to.”
Comparing the captaincy roles across formats, Gill believes that Test cricket presents the most significant challenge.
I feel in Test matches, the better team [in that match] comes out on top because you have more opportunities to make a comeback”
he explained.
In T20s, a bad spell of three or four overs can take you completely out of the game. The challenge in a Test match is to stay on top for five days which is more difficult than captaining in a T20.”
The new captain also threw his full support behind his young opening partner B Sai Sudharsan who has faced recent scrutiny over his form. Gill dismissed the concerns stating,
I don’t really think he’s had a lean run. You have to give young players more opportunities as they are still trying to figure out their game. We believe in his potential… as of now we think he’s the man for us and someone that can play for India at No. 3 for a very long time.”
