ENG vs IND 2025: In overseas tours media tries to target the captain: Ravichandran Ashwin

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly praised India's new Test captain Shubman Gill's calm and natural demeanor, especially in his interactions with the media. Gill took up the Test captaincy after the retirements of batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

The team, going through a transitional phase, was looking for a new face to lead them, and Gill, already the IPL captain for Gujarat Titans and a successful stand-in white-ball leader in Zimbabwe, was seen as a natural successor.

Before the England series began, many questioned his red-ball form abroad. However, his performances in the first two Test matches against England have given answers to all the critics. Ashwin praised Gill’s press conference conduct.

"Shubman has a natural flair. I was watching his press conference, and I immediately found that he is not putting on a show. He is talking like who he is. He is leading the team according to his natural self and skills," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

The experienced spinner mentioned how the media, especially during overseas tours, tend to target the captain to bring the visiting team down. 

"In overseas tours, the media tries to target the captain because if you bring the captain down, it becomes easy to bring the team down. You can get them to fall like nine pins if you go after the captain," he added.

Lot of players are coached about what to say and what to do: Ashwin

Ashwin pointed out that while most players are coached on how to speak to the press, Gill is already very well spoken and knows how to handle the media.

"Don't take it out of context, but a lot of players are coached about what to say and what to do. That doesn't seem to be the case with Shubman Gill. He looks like a man who is doing what he believes in," Ashwin further added.

After a 147 at Headingley in the series opener, Gill followed it up with a solid 269 in the first innings and a 161 in the second at Edgbaston, becoming the first Indian captain to score a double century and 150. His overall series tally currently stands at 585 runs at an average of 146.25.