Shubman Gill is gearing up to lead India in the five-match Test series against England, with the first match commencing on June 20 at Headingley. This series poses a significant challenge for the team, especially in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In a pre-series press conference, Gill articulated his strategy and mindset.
“Taking 20 wickets is crucial for victory in a Test match, regardless of the runs scored. Our discussions have centered on how to achieve this. We might consider a team composition featuring pure batsmen, potentially with a bowling all-rounder, and three or four specialist fast bowlers,” Gill explained.
“When I go out to bat, I want to approach it as a batsman, without the added pressure of constantly thinking about my captaincy role. This can create unnecessary stress,” Gill shared. “My aim is to play as a batsman, dominate the opposition, and strive to be the best batsman in the series.”
“I always perceive the opposition as challenging me. I believe this is the case for all key players, so I don’t anticipate anything different in this series,” Gill stated.
Discussing the significance of the series, Gill said, “You don’t often get the chance to captain in England; it could be just a couple of times, maybe three if you’re exceptional. The IPL is an annual event. Winning a Test series in countries like England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa holds greater value in my opinion.”