Shubman Gill on Vice-Captaincy: “It Doesn’t Change Much”

Gill Lauds New Head Coach Gautam Gambhir

Shubman Gill, recently appointed as India’s vice-captain in white-ball formats, praised new head coach Gautam Gambhir for his clear communication and strategic approach. Gill will serve as vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is and to Rohit Sharma in ODIs during India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, starting with the first T20I at Pallekele on Saturday. This tour marks Gambhir’s debut as India coach, following Rahul Dravid’s departure after India’s T20 World Cup triump

Clear Intent and Communication

Gill appreciated Gambhir’s clarity and directness in his initial sessions. “His intent and communication are very clear. He knows exactly which player to work with and on what aspects,” said Gill during a press conference in Pallekele.

Establishing as an All-Format Player

Gill aims to solidify his place as an all-format batsman. Although he was a reserve during the T20 World Cup, he couldn’t make it to the final 15, which he sees as a point of improvement. “I aim to enhance my performance in the upcoming 30-40 T20Is,” he stated. He is also looking forward to the five-match Test series in Australia and the Champions Trophy.

Vice-Captaincy and On-Field Decisions

Regarding the additional responsibility of vice-captaincy, Gill noted, “It doesn’t change much. I still need to perform and win matches for the team. The only difference is making more decisions on the field.”

Synergy with Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav

Gill mentioned that both Gambhir and Suryakumar share a similar vision for the team, which helps in maintaining consistency in their approach. He also expressed confidence in his new opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, highlighting their strong understanding and complementary batting styles.

Praise for Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar

Gill also commended Abhishek Nayar, the newly-appointed assistant coach, for his dedication. “He puts in a lot of effort and stays with the players until they are satisfied with their skills,” Gill added.