Shubman Gill attributes his improved Test performance earlier this year to enhancing his "defensive game." Heading into the home series against England, Gill had a modest Test average of 30.59, but his move to the No. 3 spot turned things around. In five matches, he accumulated 452 runs in nine innings, averaging 56.50, including two centuries and two half-centuries. This marked a significant recovery after a period of low scores in Test cricket. Now, Gill is set to lead India A in the Duleep Trophy opener, his first first-class appearance since that series.
Gill shared that refining his defensive technique, particularly against spin, was key to his resurgence. Speaking from Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, he explained, "I focused on my defense, especially on turning pitches. If you're not confident in your defense on such surfaces, it affects your overall game. Being able to defend well on turning tracks allows you to later play more attacking shots." He also noted that the rise in T20 and white-ball cricket, often played on batting-friendly pitches, can weaken a player's defensive instincts over time, which was a particular focus for him during the England series.
After scoring 104 in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam, Gill requested to move down to No. 3 from his usual opener position, where he had batted 29 times previously.
Despite his success against England, Gill admits he still has a way to go in Test cricket and aims to meet his own expectations. With India set to play ten Test matches over the next four months, beginning with two against Bangladesh, he sees this as an opportunity for growth.
"I haven't met my expectations yet," Gill said. "But with ten Test matches coming up, I hope to reach them by the end of this stretch."
Gill also discussed his approach to leadership, explaining that he doesn't feel extra pressure as part of India's leadership group. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to get to know his teammates better. In recent months, Gill has gained plenty of leadership experience, starting with captaining Gujarat Titans in the IPL and later leading India in five T20Is against Zimbabwe after several senior players, including Rohit Sharma, were rested.
Gill expressed that captaincy helps him perform better, saying it brings out the best in him. He was even named vice-captain for India’s T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.
"My role as a batsman doesn’t change whether I’m captain or vice-captain," Gill said. "The goal is always to score runs and help the team win. However, as captain, you need to understand your players more deeply. When you've played with many of these players since childhood, it creates a stronger connection, making it more enjoyable to lead them."
Gill highlighted the importance of leading through performance, stating that enjoying the role of captain is crucial to being successful.