India’s red-ball team drew flak after its consecutive series defeats against New Zealand and Australia, forcing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take some firm decisions.
However, as the focus now shifts on white-ball cricket, with India taking on England in a three-match ODI series, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy, vice-captain Shubman Gill believes that even though the team could not deliver the desired results in Australia, it does not the reflect the true character of the side.
“One series does not define the form of the whole team,” Gill said on Tuesday, after a long practice session at the VCA Stadium, ahead of the series opener.
“Definitely we did not play as per our expectations in the Australia series, but still we played some good cricket. One match and one day doesn’t define us.
We won there twice before and earlier won a World Cup and then reached the final of a World Cup, so we should keep all those things in mind,” he added.
While he admitted that the team missed Jasprit Bumrah in crucial moments during the final Test in Sydney, Gill now wants to focus on the road ahead, rather than dwelling over the past.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma batting during a practice session as Virat Kohli looks on.
| Photo Credit:
DEEPAK KR/The Hindu
Indian captain Rohit Sharma batting during a practice session as Virat Kohli looks on.
| Photo Credit:
DEEPAK KR/The Hindu
This will be Gill’s new assignment as deputy to captain Rohit Sharma, and the top-order batter believes that the three matches against England are not a practice run for the Champions Trophy. “We are playing against a good side. We are not taking this as practice for the Champions Trophy… I think it is a very important series for us and we are looking to dominate and win this,” Gill said.
While he looks forward to being part of the leadership group, the 25-year-old believes that one of his responsibilities is to have conversations with the captain, share his thoughts and ensure that the team achieves its target. But at the same time, he wants to make sure that the added responsibility does not affect his performance.
“I take it as a challenge to lead my way, firstly with my performance and definitely on the field if Rohit bhai would want my opinions. It’s my duty to let him know what my thoughts are,” Gill said.
After a forgettable outing against Australia, Gill scored a century in the Ranji Trophy for Punjab last week. Buoying with confidence, he believes that the team is motivated ahead of another ICC event. “The mood is good (in the dressing room). Everyone is motivated, we won the last ICC tournament and all the players, support staff, seniors are motivated. One more opportunity to play an ICC tournament, we are all very motivated,” he said.
The Indian team had a long session in the evening, which was joined by spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Coming on the back of a successful stint in the T20Is, where he claimed 14 wickets, he has been added to the squad as a possible replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was earlier scheduled to join the squad for the third ODI in Ahmedabad.
However, with the BCCI statement on Tuesday not mentioning him in the squad, there are question marks over his availability for the ODI series as well as the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
