Sachin’s advise to Gill ahead of the first test as he also gives his prediction for the 5-test series starting today.
Sachin’s advise to Gill is not to listen what people are talking as the latter makes his captaincy debut.
During the England tour, Sachin Tendulkar wants Shubman Gill, the new India Test captain, to “shut the doors” to the outside chatter about his captaincy style. Tendulkar thinks India will win the five-Test series 3-1 and that Gill will do “something special” during the visit.
“My advice to him [Gill] would be that he should not worry about what x, y, z is saying,” Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo. “His captaincy, whether Shubman is being aggressive, or defensive, or attacking enough, or not a proactive captain, or active captain – whatever that opinion is, it’s only an opinion and it’s from outside. I think what he needs to think about is what was discussed in the dressing room – when they are planning something, are they going according to that plan and whether the decision being made is in the interests of the team – that is what he needs to think about and not about the outside world.
“The outside world can only give opinions. These guys can go out and play as well, and only the dressing room will have that honour. No one else will have that. I would say, just go out, it’s a huge honour, enjoy the moment and give your best for the country and do what is in the interest of the country. Other than that, I would say shut the doors to everything. I think that should be his thought process.”
In addition to heading a youthful India team after senior batsmen Rohit and Virat Kohli retired, 25-year-old Gill, who succeeded Rohit Sharma as captain last month, will bat at No. 4, a position held by Tendulkar and Kohli for the previous 30 years.
“Playing for India itself is a responsibility,” Tendulkar said. “And it could be batting at any number, even if you go out to bat at 6 or 7, those runs are invaluable. No. 11 is also fulfilling the responsibility in a different capacity. It is good that people believe that he is capable of fulfilling that [No. 4] responsibility. The expectations that people have of him is a positive sign, because people have faith in him. He has to just go out and be himself, be determined and put his best foot forward with all his commitment. I’m sure he’ll do something special.”