Gautam Gambhir needed to remind everyone that we are World Champions reveals Shubman Gill

Shumba Gill was named the new T20I and ODI vice-captain of the side for India's tour to Sri Lanka. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named Suryakumar Yadav as India's new T20I captain and Gill as his deputy.

Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar both explained the reason behind Gill's promotion as vice-captain. He recently led the Indian team to a T20I series victory in Zimbabwe. They both unanimously agreed that Gill's potential as future captain will be channelized with him being set in as the vice-captain of India.

It was Gill who addressed the pre-match press conference ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka to be played in Pallekele on Saturday.

He opened up on the communication between him, Gautam Gambhir, and the support staff as he looked forward to his new role. He said that he aims to take Indian cricket to greater heights and also spoke about the vice-captaincy swap from Hardik Pandya.

Also Read: Nuwan Thushara OUT of India T20Is after Dushmantha Chameera's blow to Sri Lanka

"Communication has been the same like it used to be," said Gill at the press conference prior to the start of the T20I series.

"We're the World Champions and it is about doing more of the same. Hopefully, we get more success with the new coach and support staff" he further said.

He also spoke about his first interaction with Gautam Gambhir in the net session. Gambhir known for making the KKR players play an aggressive brand of cricket in IPL 2024 is looking to set up the same template with the Indian team.

This is the first time I am working with him (Gambhir). But during those two net sessions, his intent and communication have been very clear. He is very clear about which player he wants to work with at a particular time and on which areas he wants to work with him," Gill said during a press conference on Thursday.

He further spoke about his performance in T20Is. He was a part of the reserves but did not get a chance to play any matches in the T20 World Cup 2024 as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opened for India. With both of them retired from T20I cricket, this gives Gill a chance to stamp his authority in the format and cement his place in the Indian T20I side.

Shubman Gill Looking To Better His T20I Numbers

"My performance in T20Is before the World Cup this year wasn't how I had expected it to be. Hopefully, going forward, in the upcoming cycle - I think we play 30-40 T20Is [before the next T20 World Cup] - I can improve my performance when it comes to batting, and also [we can improve] as a team," he said.

He further spoke on the captain-coach combination of Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir has often said that as a captain he could not bring out the best of SKY while he was in KKR. This might have been one of the reasons why he had a hand in Skuya being named the next T20I captain of the side.

"I think the line of thinking and mindset (of Suryakumar and Gambhir) are on the same page. I had played under Surya Bhai in South Africa too. Their understanding is similar and I think you'll get to see the effects on the field as well" said Gill.

Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to open in the T2)s against Sri Lanka. The T20Is will be played in Pallekele on July 27, 28 and 30. The ODIs will be played in Colombo on August 2, 4 and 7.

Also Read: India Women vs Bangladesh Women Head to Head Records- Women's Asia Cup 2024, Semi-Final 1