Shubman Gill, gearing up for his captaincy debut in India's T20I series against Zimbabwe, aims to secure a permanent spot as an opener, steering clear of comparisons with stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who recently retired from international T20 cricket.
Despite missing out on the T20 World Cup squad and being a travelling reserve, Gill is set to lead the team in the absence of senior players.
Reflecting on his preferred batting position, Gill expressed his inclination towards opening, a role previously dominated by Rohit and Kohli in the recent World Cup campaign.
"I think Rohit Bhai was an opener and Virat Bhai also opened in this World Cup...I have also opened in T20s. So, I think I will want to open in T20Is," Gill stated during a media interaction, outlining his aspirations while acknowledging the challenges of emulating his predecessors' achievements.
Managing the weight of expectations, Gill emphasised the individual paths players must forge.
"Pressure and expectations... they I think always remain. But what Virat Bhai and Rohit Bhai have achieved, if I look to achieve that or reach that, it will be very difficult for me," he commented, recognising the towering legacy of Kohli and Rohit in Indian cricket.
While Gill holds Kohli and Rohit in high esteem as idols and legends, he stressed the importance of defining personal goals amidst the pressures of performance and public scrutiny.
Looking ahead to the Zimbabwe series, Gill confirmed that Abhishek Sharma, renowned for his IPL exploits with Sunrisers Hyderabad, will partner him at the top of the order in the upcoming five-match T20I series.
Drawing from his experience leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Gill highlighted the psychological challenges of captaincy and his learnings in handling team dynamics.
"I've learnt a lot of lessons when I captained my IPL team for the first time. I got to know a lot more things about myself and a lot more things about the leadership perspective," he shared, citing the mental fortitude required in leadership roles.
With a youthful Indian squad set to gain valuable international exposure, Gill highlighted the series' significance in nurturing talent and preparing players for higher stakes.
"Our aim for the series is to give them more international exposure and experience," he remarked, noting the blend of young talent and the opportunity to fill the void left by senior players.
Assessing the challenge posed by Zimbabwe, Gill acknowledged their competitive spirit, particularly in limited-overs formats. "I think you guys have got a good T20 team...The way you guys are going to come against us is going to be no different than any other nation and that's the challenge for us," he concluded, gearing up for the competitive encounters ahead.
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