Gautam Gambhir recalls the chilling warning he gave to “the 25-year-old” Shubman Gill

Coach of the Indian national cricket team Gautam Gambhir He recalls issuing a big warning to Punjab boy Shubman Gill after his appointment as the new Test captain.

Gautam Gambhir said Shubman Gill received unfair criticism after becoming Test captain, and he was happy to see the batsman shut down the criticism with his exceptional batting performance 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 the age of 25 before the Test series Against England, he replaced Rohit Sharma at the helm after the latter’s retirement from the longest format in the game.

Gill’s appointment as leader was met with criticism and support from many Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant As outstanding candidates for this role.

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

Speaking about Gill, Gambhir said in a recent conversation that the youngster did not show any anger or frustration despite being 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 based on their potential. Aap kya expect karte ho ek 24-25 saal ke bache se? (To expect from someone who is 24 to 25 years old). He should have an average of more than 50,” Gambhir said in an interview with Star Sports. “It has to score everywhere, it will happen over a period of time.”

He added: “Thanks to his talent, 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. Throughout the 25 days on the England tour, I cannot remember any moment when he showed such frustration and pressure on his face. He led with a smile. He deserves every bit of it.”

I told him one thing very clearly, we have thrown you into the depths of the sea – Gautam Gambhir

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

“I remember that whole conversation. Choosing a 25-year-old as captain of the Test team. I told him one thing very clearly, ‘We’ve thrown you into the deep sea.’ From here, you have two options. Either you sink or you become a world-class player.” For me, the 750 runs he scored does not matter. “If he had not scored that many goals in England, he would have done so in the next tour,” Gambhir said.

He added: “A 25-year-old with a young team, the way he handled himself and the way he handled captaining the team. He handled the team and captained a high-quality English team. I don’t think there will be a more difficult task for him.”

I don’t think this difficult task has been given to any Indian leader – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir also heaped praise on Shubman Gill for getting through the “most difficult task” on the England tour and was optimistic of achieving great success.

“I don’t think any Indian captain has been given such a difficult task in the space of two months. Horrible England line-up and a young Indian team, as well as the way he handles pressure. For me, that was a big milestone. I think he has passed his most difficult task,” Gambhir said.

“I told him after the oval test: You have completed your most difficult task and the transition is over. From now on, things will become much easier.” “I hope it gets easier for him because he deserves every bit of it,” he added.

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