'It's a good thing that everyone's performing' - Shubman Gill opens up on competition for opening spot

In the recent five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Team India's second-string squad, led by Shubman Gill, showed their skills and adaptability. The 4-1 victory in the T20I series not only highlighted India's depth of talent but also sparked discussions about the fierce competition for the opening spot in the national team.

Gill, who captained the side in the absence of senior players, exhibited remarkable leadership skills and batting form. His performance as captain and opener has revived conversations about his place in India's T20I lineup, especially following the retirements of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the format.

The series saw multiple contenders for the opening position shine brightly. Yashasvi Jaiswal made headlines by smashing two sixes in the first ball of the match along with his 93* runs in the fourth T20I, while Abhishek Sharma impressed with his hard-hitting approach throughout the series.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, although did not open, remains a strong contender based on his past performances. Gill opened up about the competition. 

"It's a good thing that everyone's performing. It shows that everyone is hungry and nobody is ready to take it easy. For any country or board, that's always a good thing," Gill said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Also read: Captaincy is something that really brings out the side of me which I enjoy being on the field: Shubman Gill

Anyone who got the opportunity grabbed it with both hands: Shubman Gill

The young captain's words reflect a positive outlook on the healthy competition within the squad. He revealed that every member who played made an impact and it is upon the selectors whom to pick for the upcoming series. 

"Anyone who got the opportunity grabbed it with both hands. The openers to bowlers to allrounders to spinners, everyone made a mark and I think the selectors have now seen everything and it's up to them to name the squad for the next series (3T20Is, 3 ODIs in Sri Lanka)," Gill added.

Gill's performance in the series was noteworthy, top-scoring with 170 runs at a strike rate of 125.92. While his strike rate was lower compared to his competitors, he explained the tactical approach.

"The wickets were a little challenging for the first 5-6 overs and the ball always did something in the powerplay, so we tried to lose a few wickets upfront and then capitalize later," Gill further added.

Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal answers fans' queries on exclusion from playing XI in T20 World Cup 2024

Beyond his batting, Gill's captaincy received praise. He emphasized the importance of infusing confidence in his players. He even opened up about how the team came back after losing the opening game and fought back to clinch the series convincingly. 

"One thing about captaincy I feel is how much confidence you can show in your players. I try to do that and make them believe that if you try and execute the plans, the results will always follow," the opener continued.

"I think going 1-0 down in the series and then the way we came back was truly remarkable. Seeing everyone hungry and so quickly adapting to the situation and assessing the conditions was truly spectacular to watch," the youngster concluded.