Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill will captain India for the first time in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare. This series marks India’s first T20I outing since winning the T20 World Cup 2024 last month.
Additionally, this series will be India’s first since the retirements of the iconic Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Before the first T20I on Saturday, July 6, Shubman discussed the pressure of upholding the legacy left by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The Punjab batter acknowledged the challenge in reaching the heights of the two cricketing stalwarts. He further stated that trying to meet the legacy and achievements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can place a player under significant pressure.
“Pressure and expectations are always there. But I think what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have achieved, if I go after achieving or reaching it then it will be difficult. Every player has his individual goals where he wants to reach so that pressure itself is there. And if your’re looking to reach where someone has already achieved then you’re under even more pressure,” said Gill in the pre-match press conference.
“Obviously, pressure is there, but what they’ve achieved what they’ve done for India, there’s no pressure on that front as they’re both my idols and legend of Indian cricket. But what we want to collectively achieve as a team, the pressure is always there for that,” he added.
Shubman Gill has yet to make a strong mark in T20I cricket. He has accumulated 335 runs in 14 matches at an average of 25.77 and a strike rate of 147.58, including one century and one half-century. His last eight innings saw him score 133 runs at an average of 16.62 and a strike rate of 126.66.
