“Being named captain of the Indian cricket team was something I never really dreamed of. Beyond the trophies and accolades, my true aspiration is to cultivate a team culture where everyone feels secure and content,” Gill shared with Sky Sports.
However, Gill recognizes that achieving this goal is no small feat. “I understand that it can be quite challenging, especially with the level of competition and the number of matches we play, along with rotating squads. But if I can create that environment, it would be my ultimate aim,” he stated.
“Ensuring that players feel secure in their skills and capabilities is one of the most crucial responsibilities of a leader.” Gill admitted that Rohit Sharma, who stepped down from Test cricket on May 7, had set a clear example for him.
“Though he may not appear aggressive, Rohit is very tactical and communicates his expectations clearly before, during, and after series,” Gill explained. He expressed his desire to continue the team-first mentality exemplified by Rohit.
“Rohit bhai fostered an atmosphere where even if he was tough on you, it wouldn’t feel personal. That’s just his nature, and it’s a positive trait to possess.
“He’s assertive, but when he challenges you, it’s evident it comes from a place of team interest,” Gill added.
At 25, he shared insights from his discussions with Rohit about the team’s future.
“I’ve had multiple conversations with Rohit bhai about where we envision the Indian cricket team’s culture in the next 5, 7, 10, or even 15 years.” Gill also reflected on the lessons he learned from Virat Kohli’s proactive approach to leadership.
“Playing under Virat, I admired his proactive mindset during Test matches regarding field placements and strategies. If something wasn’t working, he quickly devised and communicated an alternative plan to the bowlers,” he noted.
Gill also summarized his discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar prior to taking on the captaincy.
“They emphasized the importance of expressing myself as a leader without imposing unrealistic expectations. They made it clear they don’t expect me to perform beyond my capabilities.
“However, as a leader and a player, I set expectations for myself,” he concluded. Gill revealed that he kept his captaincy discussions secret even from his father, who has been a vital supporter in his journey.
“I don’t even think my father envisioned me becoming the Indian Test captain, nor did I. My childhood dreams focused solely on playing for India and winning matches.
“He called me once the news broke, but I had grappled with the information before then and chose not to share it until it was official. When he found out, we had a heartfelt conversation,” he recounted.
Adapting to Gambhir’s Style
Gill is already familiar with Gambhir’s coaching style from his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, but he is confident about transitioning to his methods at the national level.
“Gautam bhai is highly determined and committed. His communication is clear regarding his expectations and the mindset he wants from the players.
“He places particular emphasis on the attitude and mindset required from the team,” he explained.
Bumrah’s Availability
Gill’s crisis management skills will be under scrutiny as he navigates the workload of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Chief selector Agarkar has indicated that retaining Bumrah for the entire series is unlikely.
“It’s a match-by-match evaluation of how much workload he’s accumulated. We aim to remain flexible and avoid making fixed commitments regarding his participation,” he clarified.
Gill stated that he has yet to form a strategy to counter England’s ‘Bazball’ approach during the series.
“I don’t want to enter the series with a preconceived strategy. They might adopt an aggressive style and risk losing wickets,” he remarked.
