‘Nervous’ Shubman Gill Confesses He Contacted Sachin Tendulkar Ahead of Captaincy Debut

Shubman Gill has made a stunning start as India’s Test captain, scoring heavily and leading the team to a 2-2 draw in England. But before the tour, he admits he was nervous about seeking advice from cricket legends.

Gill spoke with Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Sachin Tendulkar to clear doubts before taking charge. While he felt calm with Smith and Williamson, the moment he had to talk to Tendulkar, he says he was “shivering” with nerves.

Tendulkar, understanding Gill’s tension, lightened the mood with jokes and offered tips on minor technique adjustments. He suggested Gill ensure the bat faced mid-off, helping redirect inside edges away from the stumps.

“Sachin sir bol rahe hain toh galat kaise ho sakta hai. He can’t be wrong,” Gill told his close circle, recalling the advice.

Gill’s record-breaking England tour

The guidance clearly helped. Gill scored 754 runs in five Tests at an average of 75.40, including four centuries.

He broke Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series and became the first Asian batter to score over 700 runs in an England series.

His standout performance came at Edgbaston, where he hit 269 and 161 in the same match, showing calmness and authority in tough conditions.

Now back home, Gill is set for his first assignment as Test captain in India, leading the team against West Indies in a two-match series.

After a tough home series against New Zealand in 2024, this series is an important chance for him to prove his captaincy once again.