Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar has given Shubman Gill some straightforward but impactful advice as he prepares to captain India in a crucial five-Test series against England: tune out the commotion and concentrate on the team.
“My advice to him [Gill] would be that he should not worry about what x, y, z is saying,” Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo.
“His captaincy, whether Shubman is being aggressive, or defensive, or attacking enough, or not a proactive captain, or active captain – whatever that opinion is, it’s only an opinion and it’s from outside.”
Tendulkar stressed that the only viewpoints that count are those that originate from within the locker room, from people who are cooperating to achieve a shared objective.
“The outside world can only give opinions. These guys can go out and play as well, and only the dressing room will have that honour. No one else will have that. I would say, just go out, it’s a huge honour, enjoy the moment and give your best for the country and do what is in the interest of the country. Other than that, I would say shut the doors to everything.”
Following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, 25-year-old Gill assumes the leadership position. In addition to serving as captain, he will bat at number four, a position that Tendulkar and Kohli have occupied for more than thirty years. Between 1992 and 2013, Tendulkar himself amassed 13,492 runs in 275 innings at that location.
“Playing for India itself is a responsibility,” Tendulkar said. “And it could be batting at any number, even if you go out to bat at 6 or 7, those runs are invaluable. No. 11 is also fulfilling the responsibility in a different capacity.”
“It is good that people believe that he is capable of fulfilling that [No. 4] responsibility. The expectations that people have of him is a positive sign, because people have faith in him. He has to just go out and be himself, be determined and put his best foot forward with all his commitment. I’m sure he’ll do something special.”
Tendulkar, who averaged 54.31 in England with four centuries, is optimistic that India will shine in the upcoming series. His prediction? A 3-1 victory for India.
“I have settled for 3-1 to India.”
Tendulkar also had technical advice for the young Indian batters heading to England — a place known for tricky conditions.
“There are three things which one needs to respect: overhead conditions, the wind, and the pitch,” he said.
“I feel something that all batters should think about and consider is a good, solid front-foot defence to a fast bowler. If you can defend well on the front foot to a fast bowler, then the rest of the things will fall into place.”
He emphasized the value of keeping the hands close to the body, a rule that might make the difference between success and failure.
“The balls which are meant to be hit are, anyway, going to go ahead because they all are attacking players. But the balls which are not meant to be hit, that is when the hands will go away from the body, and a dismissal could cost the game. So a good, solid defence on the front foot is going to be a key factor.”
Tendulkar urged Rishabh Pant to follow his gut feelings now that he is among the older batters, but he also cautioned him that he must adjust.
“He [Pant] should back his instincts most of the time. But there’ll be situations where he’ll have to curb his game in the interests of the team.”
“If there are times when you’re looking to save the game, then he may have to adapt that defensive approach, for let’s say an hour or 45 minutes or sometimes two hours, where he’ll have to just take those risky shots out of the game and not be as aggressive.”
Tendulkar clarified he’d still encourage Pant to be himself — unless the situation demands otherwise.
“Otherwise, nine out of ten times, if I’m the captain, I’ll say, ‘Just go out and play your game, why worry about anything.’ If you’re looking to save the game, that is when the approach changes a bit, but otherwise I would tell him that you go out and be yourself and do what you feel is in the best interest of the team.”
Tendulkar was part of the Indian squad that last won a Test series in England back in 2007. India won that series 1-0, with a memorable Test victory in Nottingham. Tendulkar top-scored in the first innings with 91 runs.
“Winning the series was a fabulous, fabulous moment – that is what we strive for,” he recalled.
“There were multiple good performances by individuals… Zaheer [Khan] played a role. I think everyone coming together and then chipping in at the right time makes a big difference.”
“I still remember we were in the dressing room, celebrating at The Oval, the last Test. These kinds of moments stay with you forever. We’re still talking about it 18 years down the line. I hope we’re able to do something this series too, so 20 years down the line we can still talk about it.”
And what battle is he most looking forward to? Jasprit Bumrah vs Joe Root.
“I’m keenly awaiting that battle.”
