Not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma! Shubman Gill called Steve Smith, two other legends for help before England tour

Team India Test captain Shubman Gill took advice from Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England. Gill was unsure about his batting technique, and the three conversations became the turning point in his record-breaking run in England.

The right-handed batter learned about his appointment to Test captaincy well before it was made public. Gill was told a month in advance that he would be leading India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy during a private discussion with coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and a senior board official.

Shubman Gill Addressed a Long-Standing Flaw in His Batting Technique

Before the England tour, Shubman Gill felt that he had to address a long-standing flaw in his batting technique. He had a slow transfer of weight to the front foot that created a gap between bat and pad, leading to dismissals.

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Despite this weakness, Gill had enjoyed considerable success, which made him reluctant to change. However, the tough challenge of playing in England convinced him that he could no longer ignore the problem.

He started working on corrections during IPL 2025, but the adjustments initially brought uncertainty and struggles. The flaw had gone unchecked for years, but Gill accepted that fixing it was crucial to establish himself as the best batter on the tour.

Shubman Gill Entered His First Test as Captain in England Unsure About Technical Change

According to the Times of India, Shubman Gill entered his first Test assignment as captain in England with doubts about whether a tweak in his technique would succeed or backfire.

Gill took advice from Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, and each offered a unique perspective. The 25-year-old absorbed their advice and applied it effectively in England, where he went on to break several batting records.

Gill began the series with 147 runs in the first Test in Leeds. He continued his dominance in Birmingham, recording scores of 269 and 161 and winning the 'Player of the Match' award. Gill finished as the highest run-scorer of the series, amassing 754 runs in 10 innings, including four centuries.

Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson’s Advice to Shubman Gill Ahead of England Tour

As per the publication, Sachin Tendulkar told Shubman Gill to keep his bat facing mid-off, helping him avoid dragging deliveries onto the stumps. The right-handed batter worked hard in the nets to correct the flaw.

Steve Smith spoke to Gill to focus on the mental and tactical aspects. Smith advised Gill to anticipate the lengths England pacers would target and to practice shadow drills to build muscle memory before fully reworking his technique.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson emphasized patience and body positioning, advising Gill to play close to the body, avoid unnecessary drives, and stay focused for the first 45 minutes before settling into longer innings.

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