2 weeks ago
Shubman Gill 'Comfortable' as India Captain, Eyes WTC Final
Shubman Gill is the captain of India's Test cricket team.
He told reporters that he feels very happy and comfortable leading the team.
India's biggest goal is to play in the World Test Championship final next year.
To get there, India has nine Test matches left and must win about six or seven of them.
Right now, India is in fifth place on the points table, so every match counts.
The first of these matches is against Sri Lanka and is India's 600th Test ever.
Gill says it is a very big honour to captain the team on such a special day, India's Independence Day.
His childhood coach, Sukhwinder Tinku, said Gill was always a sharp and quick learner.
Gill also studied the pitch in Galle and said it bounces a lot, similar to red soil wickets in places like Mumbai in India.
Shubman Gill says he is 'very comfortable' with the captaincy role and believes India is taking the right steps in the right direction.
India sits fifth in the World Test Championship points table and needs around 6-7 wins from nine remaining Tests to have a good chance at qualifying.
Gill will captain India in its 600th Test against Sri Lanka, an honour he calls even more special because it falls on Independence Day.
Under Gill, India drew 2-2 in England and lost at home to South Africa, with the captain missing part of that series due to a neck injury.
Gill says the Galle pitch has good bounce similar to red soil wickets in India, especially Mumbai, with spinners playing a huge role when the ball gets old.
- Who
- Shubman Gill, India's Test captain
- What
- India must win around 6-7 of its nine remaining Tests to keep its World Test Championship final hopes alive, starting with the first Test against Sri Lanka, India's 600th Test.
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- When
- On the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka, with the 600th Test falling on India's Independence Day.
- Why
- To keep India in contention, from fifth place on the points table, for next year's World Test Championship final.
Key facts
- India's Test captain
- Shubman Gill
- WTC points table position
- Fifth
- Tests remaining
- Nine
- Wins needed for WTC final
- Around 6-7
- Milestone
- India's 600th Test, on Independence Day
- Previous milestone captains
- Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (100th), Virat Kohli (500th)
- Series record under Gill
- 2-2 draw in England, loss to South Africa at home
- Childhood coach
- Sukhwinder Tinku
Quotes
Sukhwinder Tinku
Gill’s childhood coach
“"Obviously, now the main goal is to play the World Test Championship final, which is next year. We have got about nine Tests and I think we have to win around 6 or 7 to be able to have a good chance at qualifying."”
firstpost.com
“"Not at all surprised that Shubman is doing well as captain. He has always been a great learner, and I never had to say anything two times when he was here as a child. He was so sharp and keen to learn."”
rediff.com
firstpost.com
Sources
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