Shubman Gill Leadership and Focus on Improvement Ahead of Duleep Trophy
In the Duleep Trophy opener, Shubman Gill, captain of Team ‘A’, confirmed that he will be opening the batting against Team ‘B’. The match is set to take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, India pacer Prasidh Krishna will be unavailable for the first game. Krishna, who underwent surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon earlier this year, has been rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Despite his absence from recent competitions, including the Maharaja T20 Trophy, where his team, Mysuru Warriors, won the title, Gill is optimistic about the upcoming match.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Gill highlighted the significance of the Duleep Trophy, emphasizing that every match is crucial. He noted that playing against teammates from the Indian national side adds a layer of competitiveness, making the tournament even more exciting. While the final playing XI has yet to be determined, Gill mentioned that the pitch looks promising. There’s grass on the wicket, and while it may initially favor fast bowlers, he expects spinners to come into play on the third and fourth days.
Gill has made 1492 runs in 25 Test matches, averaging 35.52. Although his performance in the recent Test series against England, where he scored 452 runs in nine innings at an average of 56.50, was commendable, Gill believes he hasn’t reached his full potential in the format. With 10 upcoming Test matches, he hopes to meet his own expectations. India is set to play five Tests at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand before taking on Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Gill acknowledged that the demands of white-ball cricket have slightly impacted his defensive technique, particularly against spin. To address this, he has been focusing on improving his defense, especially on turning tracks. He believes that confidence in one’s defense is crucial when playing on such surfaces. The fast-paced nature of T20 cricket and the generally batting-friendly tracks used in white-ball formats can erode defensive skills over time, something Gill is consciously working on.
Ahead of a packed Test season, there has been ongoing discussion about managing players’ workloads, especially bowlers. Gill confirmed that selectors and players have been in talks about workload management, given the long season ahead. While workload discussions are more relevant for bowlers, Gill believes that experienced players understand their bodies and know how to manage their workload effectively.
This year, Gill has risen through the ranks of leadership. He began by captaining Gujarat Titans in the 2024 IPL, later leading India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe and serving as vice-captain on the tour of Sri Lanka. Now, with the added responsibility of captaining in the Duleep Trophy, Gill feels that leadership has brought about positive changes in him. He believes that every match, series, or tournament offers opportunities for self-improvement, regardless of whether one is captain.
As captain, Gill has learned a lot about his teammates, especially through one-on-one conversations. He believes that understanding each player’s strengths and weaknesses is key to fostering a strong connection with the team. For Gill, leadership is not about ease or difficulty but about the enjoyment that comes from connecting with teammates and leading through performance. The familiarity with his teammates, many of whom he has played age-group cricket with, makes the captaincy role more enjoyable for him.
Reflecting on his journey, Gill emphasized the importance of enjoying the captaincy role. He believes that leading by example and maintaining a good connection with the team are essential for success. If these elements are in place, everything else falls into place, and the leadership role becomes a rewarding experience.
In conclusion, Shubman Gill’s focus remains on improving his game, particularly in the Test format, and leading his team to success in the Duleep Trophy. With a long Test season ahead, Gill’s dedication to honing his defensive technique and managing his workload will be key to his and India’s success in the months to come.