Shubman Gill wants to become a better Test player

Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has admitted that he hasn’t reached his expectation level in Test cricket. He is eyeing the forthcoming Test series to become a better Test player. 

The 24-year-old Shubman Gill made his Test debut in December 2020, during India's tour of Australia. In 25 Tests, Gill scored 1492 runs with an average of 35.52. The right-handed batter hit four centuries and six half-centuries in his early Test career. 

Gill’s ODI batting average is 58.20, while his T20I batting average is 30.42. Meanwhile, his first-class batting average is 49.80. 

On the eve of the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 opener, Gill said on his Test career, "Yes, I've not been up to my own expectations ([n Test cricket]. But we have ten Tests coming up together. Hopefully, after these ten Tests end, I'd be up to my expectations or more.” 

India will host a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19. Then, India will host a three-match Test series against New Zealand. In late November, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series. 

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I worked on my defence a little bit more: Shubman Gill

Gill claimed that he worked on his defence during the last home Test series against England, especially against the spinners. 

The top-order batter added, "I worked on my defence a little bit more especially against the spinners. Playing on turning tracks, you should be able to defend a lot more. Then you play scoring shots. With more T20 and playing on batting friendly tracks in the white ball, I feel it takes away a little from your defensive game over a period of time. So that was my focus during the England series." 

In the five-match home Test series against England, Gill was the second-most run-scorer with 452 runs in nine innings with an average of 56.50. The right-handed batter hit two centuries and two half-centuries in that series. 

Every match or every series you tend to learn more about yourself: Shubman Gill

Before the upcoming home Test series, Gill is ready to lead India A in the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 first round. 

Gill said ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 opener, "Every match or every series you tend to learn more about yourself, whether you're the captain or not. You tend to learn certain things about yourself, your game.”

Gill also opened up his captaincy mindset. As a captain, he put importance on connecting with the players. 

Gill added, "More so if you're captain, you tend to learn about other players as well. Because it's important for the captain to have a connect with the players. If you want someone to give their 100 percent, you should have a connect with the players. You should know their weaknesses and strengths. In terms of that there has been some change, there has been a lot more conversations especially if you're the captain or vice-captain you have one-on-one conversations with the players.

"There's nothing easy or difficult. You'd have played a lot of age-group cricket with a lot of these player so there's a lot of fun. And if you're enjoying the captaincy role as well and to lead by performance as well. So if these things are in order, you'll be enjoying everything."