As India’s Test team prepares for a high-altitude test, former Indian star and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has urged India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill to block out outside distractions and decisively lead with composure. Gill is set to lead India in a five-match Test series against England, marking his first assignment as India’s new Test captain.
"My advice to him would be to take those bold decisions and not to worry about the outside world so long as the decision is taken in the interest of the team," Tendulkar told Cricbuzz.
"Because people will have opinions, and people will say that he is being too attacking or too defensive, or this is not happening, that is not happening. He should do what is in the interest of the team and whatever is discussed in the dressing room."
"So that is what matters above anything else, and that is what my advice to him would be - not to worry about the outside world. The dressing room, and whatever decisions he is taking in the interest of the team, are important - and to back that."
Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain after the latter retired from the longest format in May ahead of the England Tests. Gill, who is 25 years old, became the fifth-youngest Indian Test captain in history. And Sachin Tendulkar himself was named India's captain at the age of 23 years and 169 days back in 1996. However, the legendary batter didn’t make any comparison between him and Gill. Meanwhile, India and England will clash with each other in the first of five Tests at Headingley on June 20.
"(They are) different eras altogether, so no point comparing that era to what happened in Indian cricket then and what is happening now. We need to address what is happening now and do it," Tendulkar added.