Shubman Gill plays cards close to his chest on India XI; reveals speaking to Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli

TimesofIndia.com in Leeds: : Just a day before India kick off their five-match Test series against England at Headingley, new Test captain Shubman Gill addressed the media, offering a glimpse into his mindset, the team’s approach, and the changes post the retirements of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Calling it the “biggest honour anyone can get,” Gill said leading India was something every cricketer dreams of. “Captaining the country is the biggest honour anyone can get,” he said, speaking with a calm assurance that hinted at readiness for the role.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The 25-year-old confirmed he would bat at No.4, stepping into the slot vacated by Virat Kohli. “After Virat bhai retired, me and GG bhai [head coach Gautam Gambhir] had a discussion about me batting at that number,” he revealed.

The move allows India to reshape their top order in what is a new era of Test cricket for the team.

On the playing XI and combination for the first Test, Gill said the team was keeping options open. “We have one or two different combinations ready. Will have a look at the pitch and take the call,” he said, noting that the dry summer in England could impact conditions.Quiz: Who's that IPL player? When asked about India’s overall approach in this WTC cycle, Gill kept it vague but intriguing: “You have to wait till August to see what kind of brand we will play,” he said with a smile, suggesting that the team is still evolving its identity.

He also spoke about the dressing room atmosphere, stressing the need for a secure and supportive culture. “We want to create an environment in the team which is very secure,” Gill added, underlining the team’s focus on backing young players and encouraging consistency.