Sachin Tendulkar believes Shubman Gill deserves some time and backing as he takes on the tough job of leading India through a transition phase. Tendulkar, in an interview before the first Test against England, advised Gill to stick to his own game plan and not worry too much about outside opinions. Gill, at just 25, is set to lead India in a five-Test series against England, starting Friday, without the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who have all stepped away from Test cricket.
Tendulkar understands that being the Indian captain comes with a lot of pressure and that many opinions will arise. He encourages Gill to focus on what’s happening within the team instead of the noise outside. “There will be a lot of opinions about his decisions,” Tendulkar noted. “But he should concentrate on the team’s discussions and whether his decisions align with those. The real focus should be on what’s best for the team, not what others think about his style.”
He believes successful players need to be adaptable based on the conditions. “You have to respect the conditions and adjust your game accordingly,” he said. “It’s not just about sticking to your own style, but being flexible to adapt your approach.”
Tendulkar is optimistic despite the changes in the team. Players like Karun Nair and B Sai Sudharsan, who haven’t played Tests in England yet, have had some County Cricket experience, which he thinks will help them handle the conditions.
He pointed out that the weather in Leeds has been unusually warm, which could influence the decision on playing spinners. “Whether to play one or two spinners depends on the pitch and weather conditions,” he said. Tendulkar expects Ravindra Jadeja to be in the playing XI and believes they will decide on any additional spinners based on the surface.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Tendulkar considers Leeds to be one of the trickiest venues in England. He fondly remembers scoring his first international hundred in Manchester and his highest score in England at Leeds, both of which hold special meaning to him.