Shubman Gill reveals Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith’s role in saving his Test career

India National Cricket Team Test skipper Shubman Gill has finally opened up on receiving help from the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, and the modern-day batting great, Steve Smith, to rescue his sinking Test career.

Shubman Gill revealed that he reached out to Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Smith, and both of them offered him similar advice, which helped him succeed on the England tour.

India captain Shubman Gill shone on the England tour

The Punjab cricketer Shubman Gill was elevated to a new level altogether in Indian cricket when the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee decided to name him as the new Test captain.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

He replaced Rohit Sharma at the helm after the latter retired from the longest format of the game ahead of the England tour. This decision was met with criticism, with many backing Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant as superior candidates for the role and questioning Gill's performances in red-ball cricket.

However, Gill made sure to shut down his critics by delivering an all-timer performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The right-handed batsman had a poor overseas record, but he improved his stats on the England tour.

Gill looked stunning with the bat from the very first Test match and continued his form throughout the series. He finished the series as the leading run-getter, slamming 754 runs when no other batter even touched the 600-run mark.

Shubman Gill scored runs at an average of 75.40 and smashed four centuries as well. His captaincy was also tremendous as India managed to draw the five-match Test series 2-2.

There was pressure of not doing well outside India - Shubman Gill

Speaking ahead of his first home series as Test captain, Gill opened up on what brought him success in England. The Indian skipper revealed that he spoke to Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Smith, who advised him to defend straight and score square, which benefited him a lot.

“There was pressure of not doing well outside India. But I was feeling very confident in terms of my practice, mentally, and what positions I was getting into," he said on JioHotstar.

"I spoke to Sachin Sir and also took the phone number of Steve Smith from Matthew Wade. Both said the same thing: defend straight and score square,” he added.

Preparations have been good - Shubman Gill

Speaking at the toss in the first India vs West Indies Test, Gill stated that they have prepared well and are looking forward to winning all the matches in the home Test season. He said:

"Yes, definitely. I think we have 4 Test matches at home this summer, and we want to win all four of them. Preparations have been good. A couple of days of good practice. The boys have been doing well. Everyone has been in great touch, and it's all about switching into the red-ball mindset. It looks like a good surface."

Also Read: BCCI to launch FIR in Dubai against Mohsin Naqvi!! Fresh report stuns Trophy Thief