‘Very Big Privilege’: Shubman Gill on leading India in home Test vs Afghanistan
Shubman Gill calls captaining India in Mullanpur a “very big privilege” as he opens up on Test cricket, transition from IPL, and India’s preparation for the one-off Test vs Afghanistan.
Shubman Gill on leading India in home Test vs Afghanistan (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: India captain Shubman Gill has described leading the national side in front of his home crowd as a “very big privilege” as India gear up for their one-off Test against Afghanistan starting Saturday in Mullanpur.
Gill calls Test cricket ‘the most satisfying format’
Ahead of India’s red-ball assignment, Gill underlined his preference for Test cricket, calling it the most rewarding format of the game.
“For me, this is the most satisfying format. If you do well in this format, that's how I feel most good about myself. The feel of wearing the whites, wearing the baggy cap. Nothing beats that,” he said in a BCCI video.
‘Mental challenges’ of switching from IPL to Tests
Gill also spoke about the difficult transition from IPL’s T20 format to the demands of Test cricket, especially in extreme weather conditions.
“The weather is very different. You play T20 at night and now it's almost 40 degrees, so there’s a lot of mental challenges that come into play,” he said.
Backing young talent in Indian setup
The India skipper expressed confidence in the younger players in the squad, many of whom he has played alongside in domestic and international setups.
“They are very exciting young talents. Hopefully they will represent and serve the country for a very long time,” Gill added.
Despite India entering the match as favourites, Gill cautioned against underestimating Afghanistan, highlighting their rapid rise in international cricket. “They are not a lesser opposition for us. They have got really good talent,” he said.
Important Test ahead of WTC cycle
While the match does not carry World Test Championship points, Gill said it remains crucial for preparation ahead of India’s remaining nine Tests in the cycle.
“We’ve got a very exciting opportunity... this Test match is very important for us for preparation,” he noted.
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