Shubman Gill, who recently won his maiden Test series as captain of India, said he was “kind of getting used to it [the experience]” following Tuesday’s seven-wicket victory over the West Indies, which secured a 2-0 series victory.
“It’s about taking the right options in the given situation,” he responded during the presentation ceremony when asked what he had learnt as the pack leader following seven Test matches, beginning with the 2-2 loss in England. “In the current circumstance, I attempt to make the most likely choice. Depending on the player who can get you a set number of runs or wickets, you may need to make some risky choices.
Any Test captain can start with four victories in seven Test matches, but leading India raises the bar. In Delhi, it was in reaction to India pushing the follow-on after gaining a 270-run advantage, particularly following the third-wicket stand of century-makers Shai Hope and John Campbell, which ended at 177 runs.
“We were around 300 runs ahead and the wicket was quite dead, and we thought even if we scored 500 runs, we have to get six or seven wickets on day five it would be a tough day for us,” Shubman Gill stated.
The fast-bowling all-rounder in the XI, Nitish Kumar Reddy, did not bowl an over, which was the other minor annoyance. “[He] didn’t really get to bowl any overs in this match but we don’t want players to only play matches overseas – that puts a lot of pressure on the players,” Shubman Gill explained. “If we want to groom certain players that we think can help us win matches overseas [we need to find spots for them], because that’s been the challenge for us.”
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were two players who had to bowl a lot and were crucial to the series. After R Ashwin was the primary spinner at home for many years, two spinners are attempting to work together.
After receiving his player-of-the-series title, Jadeja chuckled and remarked, “I could get chance to bowl more overs,” As a team, we’ve been working really well. It’s encouraging for us as a team to keep playing cricket for a long time because we know what kind of game we’ve been playing over the past five-six months.”
Additionally, Jadeja has recently risen to the sixth position in the batting order. And there have been good returns. There were other outstanding innings, including a century in England when India salvaged a Test match they appeared to be out of in Manchester and another in Ahmedabad. “In past so many years, I have been batting at No. 8, No. 9, so my mindset was a little different to what I have right now, but [I’m] just trying to spend more time in the middle when I get the chance.”
Additionally, he has the opportunity to coach Washington Sundar and Kuldeep, two of the team’s younger spinners. “Having him [Jadeja] around is lovely,” Kuldeep remarked. “He’s someone who has always guided me in tough situations and giving me some advice and it’s really helping me out.”
Kuldeep returned to the starting lineup for the two Test matches against the West Indies after missing the entire England tour. He bowled brilliantly, taking a record-breaking 12 wickets, including eight in Delhi that won him player-of-the-match.
In my opinion, the velocity and drift I experienced in Ahmedabad were probably comparable to this Test match; however, due to the surface, there was no drift here. He remarked, “I had to make some changes between the two Tests, and the wicket was too dry.” “Playing two Test matches back-to-back is always fun, and bowling lot of overs and getting the breakthrough in the middle is something I enjoy.”
The series’ opening ODI in Australia comes in just one week, so there isn’t much time for multi-format players.
“We’re going to fly tomorrow and we have a game on the 19th, so we hardly have time,” Kuldeep said, attempting to get in as much football watching as he can. Thus, I need to get ready for that.
“It’s a long flight, maybe we can talk about it there.” Thus, Shubman Gill will postpone his preparations, or at least the plans, until later.
India
