Shamik Chakrabarty, Vadodara
Shubman Gill carries himself impeccably at press conferences. It was his first presser after the T20 World Cup snub. Fresh faced as ever, the 26-year-old oozed class.
“I respect the selectors’ decision to give me the position here,” said India’s ODI skipper ahead of the three-match series against New Zealand that starts here in Vadodara on Sunday. “I am wishing the T20 team all the very best and I really hope that they win the World Cup for us. I believe that I am right where I am in my life. I think that no one can take all those things away from me. Obviously, as a player, you have a belief that if you play well, you will show your team and your country.”
It’s a different format, but only about a fortnight ago Gill was India’s T20I vice-captain. From there to not being part of the World Cup squad could be a bitter pill to swallow, especially for a young player. Gill shows maturity beyond his years. No wonder that he is India’s captain in two formats at 26 years of age.
And yet, there’s a mental aspect to it. Sportspersons often speak about the importance of being in the right mental space. It’s 50-over cricket, yes, but can the World Cup non-selection have an adverse effect in terms of being in the right headspace? Gill dealt with the question with remarkable equanimity.
“I think being an athlete, being a sportsperson, it’s all about being in the present,” he instantly hit the right note. “The more present you are, you are on the field, you are doing your primary skill as a batsman or as a bowler. The more present you are, the more you are not thinking about what’s going to happen or what has happened in the previous moment. It gives you more chances of succeeding.
“So, I try the same. Especially for me, the more I look at what I need to do right now, what is important in this moment, the more I try to see what I need in this moment, the more I can stay in the present moment. It makes our life simpler and if you make your life simpler, it’s a much more peaceful and a happier space that you would want to live in.”
Fortune is playing peek-a-boo with India’s ODI skipper and his deputy. The last few months haven’t been great for Gill and Shreyas Iyer. The former suffered a neck injury during the home Test series against South Africa, which rendered him hors de combat for the red-ball games followed by the three ODIs. He returned for the T20Is against the Proteas, but struggled to get going, which eventually cost him a T20 World Cup spot.
Shreyas suffered an internal injury against Australia in Sydney on October 25 that saw him miss out on the next three months of competitive cricket. This series marks his comeback to the Indian team fold, but he almost got bitten by a fan’s dog at the airport.
“Obviously, watching the team play and missing out on all those games, especially when you have just been named the captain (of the ODI side), it’s definitely very frustrating,” Gill admitted. The next three games would be a test of character for the young captain.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news
