India’s new Test skipper Shubman Gill, set to lead the team against England in the 5-match Test series against England next week, said that he initially didn’t tell his father about the possibility of him becoming India captain up until the day it was made official by the BCCI.
“I don’t even think he (father) dreamt of me being the Indian Test captain, like even myself as well. All I remember when I was young, all my dreams were to play for India and win matches. So yeah, he called me when the news broke out, I think a couple of days before. But I knew sometime before (the news flashed), but I didn’t tell him because I wanted to tell him when it’s official. But we had a very heartfelt conversation once he got to know that I’ve been named the captain,” Gill said to Sky Sports.
Gill also revealed the conversation he had with head coach and chief selector Ajit Agarkar after they zeroed in on him after previous captain retired from Tests last month.
“They just want me to be able to express myself as a leader. I mean, that’s what they have told me, there are no expectations. They are not expecting me to, you know, to do something that I’m not capable of. But you definitely have some kind of expectations from yourself as a leader and as a player. So those are the expectations that I have from myself,” Gill said.
The 25-year-old also shared that he wanted to build a team culture where every member of the unit felt comfortable and secure.
“It was like, not even in my dreams, I thought I wanted to be the captain of the Indian cricket team. So, apart from all the silverware and trophies aside, I really would like to build a team culture where everyone is very secure and happy,” Gill said.
“I know it can be a very difficult environment, especially with all the competition and the number of matches that we play, different squads coming in. But if I’m able to do that, I think that would be my goal. So, keeping a secure environment and making the player feel secure in his abilities and his capabilities I feel is one of the most important things that a leader has to do,” he added.
