'Gautam Gambhir's intent and communication has been very clear' - Shubman Gill shares first impression of India's new head coach

Shubman Gill is hopeful that India will go from strength to strength under the new Gautam Gambhir-led coaching setup. The Men in Blue are set to lock horns with Sri Lanka in three T20Is and as many ODIs. The white-ball tour begins on Saturday, July 27, with the two teams facing each other in the first T20I in Pallekele.

Gill has been named as the vice-captain of India's T20I and ODI teams on the tour of the Island Nation. Meanwhile, Gambhir is taking charge as head coach for the first time after Rahul Dravid vacated the position following India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. The Indian team has been sweating it out in Sri Lanka under Gambhir's watchful eyes. Gill hailed the two-time IPL-winning captain for his clarity of thought while speaking to the players.

"We are the world champions and we will look to play accordingly, and, hopefully, we will have more success under the new coaching staff. This is the first time I am working with him (Gambhir)," Gill told the media during a press-meet at Pallekele, Sri Lanka.

"But during those two net sessions, his intent and communication have been very clear. He is very clear about which player he wants to work with at a particular time and on which areas he wants to work with him," he added.

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'When I bat out there, I still need to perform' - Shubman Gill on changes after being appointed as vice-captain

The 24-year-old said his goals as a batter will not change after being appointed vice-captain. However, he noted that he will have to take a few calls on the field, which will be the only difference.

"It (vice-captaincy) doesn't change much. When I bat out there, I still need to perform and I need to win matches for the team," Gill said.

"But when you are out on the field, you need to make a bit more decisions, and that's the only difference," he added.

Also Read: Shubman Gill is not someone who thinks that whatever he is doing is right: Ashish Nehra

The right-handed batter led an inexperienced Indian team to a 4-1 series win in Zimbabwe earlier this month. He finished as the leading run-getter in the series and would want to build on his performances during the tour of Sri Lanka.