"You will drown": Gautam Gambhir recalls terrifying warning to "25-year-old kid" Shubman Gill

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has recalled issuing a massive warning to the Punjab lad Shubman Gill after he was appointed as the new Test skipper.

Gautam Gambhir said that Shubman Gill received unfair criticism after becoming Test captain, and he was delighted to see the batter shut down the criticism with his exceptional batting performances on the England tour.

With the talent he has, I was never shocked that he scored 750 runs - Gautam Gambhir

Shubman Gill was named as the new Test captain at 25, ahead of the Test series against England, and replaced Rohit Sharma at the helm after the latter retired from the longest format of the game.

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Gill's appointment as skipper was met with criticism, with many backing Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant as superior candidates for the role.

Shubman Gill finished the series as the leading run-getter, slamming 754 runs at an average of 75.40 when no other batter even touched the 600-run mark. Also, India managed to draw the five-match Test series 2-2.

Speaking about Gill, in a recent chat, Gambhir said that the youngster didn't show any anger or frustration despite being put under pressure on the England tour.

“The criticism he had to face and the things people said about him. Very unfair things were said about him. Sometimes you pick players on their potential. Aap kya expect karte ho ek 24-25 saal ke bache se? (For you to expect from a 24-25-year-old). That he should have an average of more than 50 and he should have scored runs everywhere, it will happen over a period of time,” Gambhir said in an interview with Star Sports.

"With the talent he has, I was never shocked that he scored 750 runs. I was happy with the way he led the team. There were moments when I was under pressure, the support staff was under pressure, but more than us, he was under pressure on the field. In the entire 25 days on the tour of England, I don't recall any moment where he showed that frustration and pressure on his face. He led with a smile. He deserves every bit of it,” he added.

I told him one thing very clearly, 'We've thrown you into the deep sea - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir revealed that he told Gill that he has been thrown under the deep sea with the captaincy appointment and he could either drown or emerge as a world-class player.

"I remember that entire conversation. Picking a 25-year-old as the captain of the Test side. I told him one thing very clearly, 'We've thrown you into the deep sea. From here, you have two options. Either you will drown or you will become a world-class player.' For me, the 750 runs he scored don't matter. If he hadn't scored these many runs in England, he would have done so in the next tour,” said Gambhir.

“A 25-year-old kid with a young team, the way he handled himself and the way he handled the captaincy. He handled the team and captaincy against a quality England side. I don't think there would be any tougher assignment for him,” he added.

I don't think this tough assignment has been given to any Indian captain - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir further showered rich praise on Shubman Gill for passing the "most difficult task" on the England tour and was optimistic about him achieving great success.

“I don't think this tough assignment has been given to any Indian captain in a span of two months. The intimidating England lineup and the young Indian side, as well as the way he handled the pressure. For me, that was a massive tick. I think he has passed his most difficult task,” said Gambhir.

“I told him after the Oval Test, 'You have passed your most difficult task and the transition is over. From here on, things will become much easier.' I hope it becomes easier for him because he deserves every bit of it,” he added.

Also Read: Shubman Gill the villain? Yashasvi Jaiswal breaks silence on his horrible run-out in Delhi Test