We have a perfect mix of experience and talent: Gill

Shubman Gill prepares to lead Indian Test team in absence of Kohli and Sharma, focusing on communication and team bonding.

As he gears up for his maiden Test series as the captain of the Indian team, Shubman Gill knows that he has big shoes to fill in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from the format recently. But the youngster is looking forward to the challenge.

“The pressure is there on every tour. These (Kohli and Rohit) were two big players who had won so many matches for India, so it is difficult to fill their shoes. But the pressure is no different, and we are all used to playing in pressure situations and are aware of how to win,” Gill said on Thursday.

‘The batting and bowling combination in our team is very good. We have a perfect mix of experience and talent.”

Having led the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League over the last couple of seasons, Gill understands that a clear communication with the players is the key to success.

“I wouldn’t say that there is a particular style that I would like to follow, but the more you play, the more experience you get. I like communicating with the players, making them feel secure and providing them that comfort. Building a bond with the players is very important, and if you are the captain of a team, you have to do this,” Gill said, adding: “If your players feel very secure, then only they can give you their 100 per cent.”

Leading up to the series, he practised with Dukes ball on the sidelines of the IPL. However, he has yet to decide his batting position. “We have a tour match in London, so we still have time to decide on the batting order,” he said.

Coach Gautam Gambhir, however, admitted that the pressure always mounts up ahead of every series because the goal remains to win. The series will also see the return of Karun Nair, and Gambhir admitted that if one performs well in domestic cricket, the doors of the national team are never shut. Asked whether Shreyas Iyer could be called up, the coach said, “Anyone can be called if they are in good form.”