Rising star Shubman Gill, who led India to a 4-1 T20I series victory over Zimbabwe, drew inspiration from former captains like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, as well as current T20 World Cup-winning skipper Rohit Sharma. Gill spoke candidly about the challenges of captaincy and managing pressure, noting that the series did not start well with a shock loss to Zimbabwe in Harare. However, the young opener helped guide India to another trophy triumph in the end.
“India has had quality captains like Rohit bhai, MS Dhoni bhai, Virat bhai, and Hardik bhai. They have many qualities and there’s a lot to learn from them. But Rohit bhai, in particular, is someone I really look up to and enjoy playing under, since I’ve spent the most time on his team,” remarked Gill after the series win.
“Captaincy is something I genuinely enjoy. It brings out the best in me when I’m on the field, as I’m able to actively engage with the game. Being a captain allows me to embrace and showcase the aspects of my personality that I most cherish when playing,” he added.
After a disappointing season as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Shubman Gill entered the series struggling to replicate Hardik Pandya’s success with the franchise in IPL 2024. Gill’s inability to match Pandya’s performance resulted in him missing out on the T20 World Cup squad, a setback that he had to contend with.
Undaunted by past disappointments, the 24-year-old Gill seized the opportunity to captain India’s second-string squad on their Zimbabwe tour. He not only guided the team to victory, but also emerged as the top scorer, amassing 170 runs across five matches. Gill’s standout performances included two crucial half-centuries in the third and fourth T20Is, cementing his credentials as a reliable opener.
“The pressure is constant, even as batter when you are not delivering. While I wouldn’t call it extra pressure, the emotions that come with this, including the immense satisfaction of overcoming it, are all part of the thrill of the game. It’s this rollercoaster of feelings that makes the sport so rewarding,” he continued.