India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has shed light on his first conversation with Shubman Gill post handing him over the Test captaincy at the young age of 25.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Gill was handed over the Indian Test captaincy ahead of the big England Test series, where the Men In Blue returned with a promising series draw 2-2 in the five-match series to begin the young man's captaincy career.
Gambhir reveals his first conversation with 'Captain Shubman Gill' after handing the Test captaincy
Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket in May this year meant that India had to look for a new Test captain. While many assumed India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah to take up the role, the team management went ahead with the young Shubman Gill.
On his first Test tour as the Indian skipper, Gill was presented with a massive challenge. Team India were in a transition phase with several senior players retiring ahead of the tour, but Gill and his young boys did not disappoint.
"I remember the entire conversation. I told him one thing very clearly, that we have thrown you in the deep sea, and there are only two outcomes from here. Either you will drown or you will become world-class...What mattered for me, was the way a 25-year-old kid, with a young team, handled himself and his captaincy, the pressure, over there against a quality England side" Gambhir said on Jio Hotstar.
Under tough English conditions and against all odds, the young Indian side took on the challenge. In a Test series that went down to the wire, with cricketing actions on all the 25 days, Team India emerged as the dominant side as they levelled the series two-all.
MORE: Explained: How PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi could lose ICC role after Asia Cup trophy controversy
Gill led the side wonderfully while also scoring more than 750 runs on the tour. India also registered their first-ever victory in Edgbaston in the second Test of the series.
"I don't think there will be a more difficult test than that in his captaincy career, whether he leads for 10 years, 15 years, or 2 years. I don't think any captain in India has had such a challenge, over a span of 2 months, considering how intimidating England's batting was, and how inexperienced our team was," Gambhir added.
Team India also went on to win Gill's first home Test as captain against the West Indies. They registered a dominant innings and 140 runs victory over the Caribbean nation at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
RELATED LINKS:
- IND vs WI Tests: What time is India vs West Indies 2nd Test match starting? Date and full session timings for Delhi Test
- Where to watch India vs. West Indies free live stream, TV channel, start time for 2nd Test match
- How to bet online on cricket in India and the most trusted site
- All the latest cricket news
- All betting tips and predictions