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The India National Cricket Team is currently hosting the West Indies National Cricket Team for a three-match ODI series. Team India captain Shubman Gill has already won the series and, ahead of the third match, shared insights into being the No.1 ODI batter and his leadership experience as the Men in Blue captain.
India won the first two matches by similar margins, winning by 8 wickets in the second match. Shubman Gill guided India to a historic highest successful run chase in the ODIs after they chased down 406 runs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, as Gill scored a double hundred in the match and was unbeaten till the end of the match.
"As a kid, you look at the rankings": Shubman Gill on being No.1 ODI batter
While speaking on JioStar, Shubman Gill stated that he was happy when he became the No.1 ODI batter for the first time back in 2023. As a young player, he felt it was a big achievement. However, now, as time has passed, it does not matter to him, as he always walks out to bat to help his team win the game.
"The first time when I became the number one-ranked batsman, I think it was during the 2023 World Cup. And it felt good. As a kid, you look at the rankings, so it was like a tick mark that, 'Okay, once I want to become the number one-ranked ODI batsman.'
"So it feels good, but I think right now it doesn't matter as much. For me, it's more important that when you step out to bat in a match, how you can help the team win and how you can contribute," Gill said on JioStar.
"It was not really my dream": Shubman Gill on leading India
In the same conversation, Shubman Gill speaks about captaining India. He revealed that it is a responsibility, as he shockingly revealed that he did not want to become the captain of the Men in Blue side, and his only dream was to play for the country and win games for the nation. However, he also feels that leading India is a great honour for him.
"I look at it more as a responsibility. Even while growing up, it was not really my dream that I had to become India's captain one day. My dream was always to play for the country and win matches for my country, and that was always my aim growing up.
"So, when I got this opportunity to captain, obviously, it was a big honour and a big responsibility. I look at it as being entrusted with responsibility for the team, and that makes things a lot easier for me. I don't feel that much pressure because I feel that if I do things with the right intent, then everything will fall into place," he added.
Shubman Gill's recent form
The team India captain has been in sensational form, amassing 333 runs in two matches, including a century and a double century. In the second game, he became the fastest cricketer to smash a double hundred in the 50-over format after scoring in 117 deliveries. He scored 223* runs in India’s historic win over the Caribbean side.
In 2026, Gill has been the leading run-scorer for the Men in Blue, scoring 894 runs in ODIs, with a stunning average of 127.71. He has scored five centuries and three half-centuries in the 10 innings he has played so far in this calendar year.
