Nagpur, February 4 (PTI) — India's vice-captain Shubman Gill has come to the defense of his team's performance following their 1-3 defeat in the recent Test series against Australia, stressing that one disappointing series should not define a team's overall strength. Reflecting on the loss, Gill reminded reporters that it’s unfair to criticize a team for a rare poor outing, given the team's sustained success over the years.
India's 1-3 defeat in the five-match Test series against Australia ended a decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite the setback, key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Gill himself are set to return to action for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England before heading to Dubai for the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy.
"A single series doesn't define the team's form," Gill told reporters ahead of the first ODI against England. "There are many players who have performed consistently in several series and tournaments in the past. Of course, we did not play to our expectations in the Australian series, but we still played some good cricket. We were unfortunate not to have Jasprit Bumrah on the final day; with him, we could have won the match, and the series would have been drawn. This conversation might not even be happening then."
Gill pointed out that India's past achievements — including winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy twice in Australia, clinching a World Cup, and reaching the World Cup final — should be kept in mind. "One bad day or one match doesn’t define us," he added.
The defeat in Australia follows a historic 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand at home, marking an unprecedented series loss in India's cricket history.
Rohit's Impact on ODI Cricket Highlighted
Much of the attention in recent months has centered on the batting struggles of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Gill was quick to praise Rohit for his game-changing impact in white-ball cricket, noting his crucial role in India's success during the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. In the series against Sri Lanka, Rohit scored two vital half-centuries, further underlining his importance in the limited-overs format.
"Rohit bhai has been exceptional in ODIs over the last year and a half," Gill said. "He has set the tone from the start, taking the momentum and pushing the game forward from ball one. This makes it easier for the non-striker and the batsmen coming in. His contribution has been incredibly valuable to the team."
Team Continuity Over Domestic Performances
Despite impressive performances in domestic cricket, such as Karun Nair’s stellar showing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (averaging 389.50), Gill emphasized the importance of continuity in the national team rather than making frequent changes based on domestic success. He asserted that the current squad deserves to stay intact, given their consistent contributions, particularly in World Cup campaigns.
"Karun had a great Vijay Hazare Trophy, but that doesn't mean the players currently in the squad should be dropped," Gill remarked. "They've performed consistently to get to this point. The team has lost just one match in the World Cups, and the players here have played significant roles in our success. Constant chopping and changing could affect players' confidence, and without continuity, it's tough to build a strong team."
Gill also addressed his new role in the leadership group, saying that he viewed the responsibility as a challenge. "I take it as a challenge to lead with my performance, and if Rohit bhai wants my opinions, I will offer them. It's my duty to share my thoughts when required."
Healthy Competition, Not Toxic Rivalry
The emergence of young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma, both of whom have been in stellar form, has led to discussions about competition for spots in the top order. Gill, however, dismissed any notion of "toxic competition," stressing that the atmosphere among the players remains supportive.
"Abhishek is a childhood friend, and Jaiswal is also a good friend. There's no toxic competition between us. We all want to perform for the country, and when someone performs well, we congratulate them. It's all about playing for the team and the country," Gill said.
India's ODI Series Against England Crucial for Champions Trophy Preparation
Looking ahead, the upcoming three-match ODI series against England will be India's final preparation before the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19. The last time India played an ODI was in August 2023, when they suffered a 0-2 series loss to Sri Lanka.
Gill underscored the importance of the England series, not just as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy, but as a competitive challenge in its own right. "We are playing against a strong team, and we are not treating these ODIs as mere practice for the Champions Trophy," he stated. "This series is very important for us, and we are aiming to dominate and win it just like any other series."
India will look to capitalize on this series against England, keeping their focus on delivering strong performances as they gear up for the Champions Trophy.
