Shubman Gill has said that improving his “defensive game,” which helped him turn around his results against England earlier this year, is the reason behind his recent success in Test cricket.
Gill has performed poorly in the Test format before the home series, averaging 30.59. But he made a significant turnaround in the match against England.
Batting at No. 3, he amassed a fantastic average of 56.50 runs in nine innings over five games. His two centuries and two half-centuries demonstrated his ability to bounce back from a run of poor performances.
In a press conference held before India A’s Duleep Trophy opening match versus India B, Gill explained that his success stemmed from honing his defence, especially against spinners.
He pointed out that playing on turning tracks necessitates a solid defensive base and that playing without that defensive confidence might cause one’s game to suffer.
Gill says that when facing difficult pitches, concentrating on defence gives batters the assurance they need to make clutch scoring smashes.
He highlighted that defensive tactics can frequently be neglected due to the popularity of T20 cricket and regular appearances on batting-friendly grounds, so he put more emphasis on this area of his game for the England series.
Gill’s move from an opener to the No. 3 spot was one of the standout features of his ascent in the England series.
He requested to be dropped to No. 3 by the Indian team management, a position he had not previously held frequently, after finding it difficult to be consistent at the top of the order.
He answered with an outstanding 104 in the second innings of the second Test match against England in Visakhapatnam, demonstrating the effectiveness of the alteration.
His better defensive play and this positional change were crucial in helping him regain his form.
Gill is still modest and eager to get better despite his recent successes. He is motivated to make up for the fact that, in Test cricket, he still needs to live up to his expectations.
Over the next four months, India has 10 Test matches scheduled, including two against
Bangladesh beginning on September 19.
Gill sees this as a chance to further his development as a Test player. He said he hoped that following these games, he would at last perform to the calibre he demands of himself.
Gill has accepted the accountability that comes with being a captain. He was given his first chance to lead when Hardik Pandya stood down as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
Gill later led India in five Twenty20 Internationals against Zimbabwe, where India overcame a 0-1 deficit to win the series 4-1.
In addition, he was selected vice-captain for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. Gill finds that being a leader doesn’t add to his stress; instead, it brings out the best in him.
He feels that a captain’s job is to lead by example and have a deeper understanding of his teammates, mainly when playing with people he has known since he was a young boy.
Gill’s approach to leadership is centred on building relationships with players and taking pleasure in the job.
He underlined that setting an excellent example through one’s actions is crucial and that everything else falls into place when a captain leads by example.
Gill keeps his fundamental responsibility as a batter, which is to score runs and advance his team’s cause, whether he is captain or vice-captain.
His path as a leader has been characterised by composure and empathy, traits he feels are essential to creating a cohesive and powerful team.
Gill’s tale is one of perseverance, education, and adjustment—as a leader as much as a player.
His career in international cricket is still developing, with more Test matches and greater leadership responsibilities ahead. These indicate excellent times ahead.
