India coach Gautam Gambhir and new Test captain Shubman Gill had an inspiration huddle talk with the squad ahead of the start of their England tour. India now have a full squad at their disposal as the India A vs England Lions matches came to an end.
Ahead of the practice session, Gambhir welcomed the newcomers Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh to the squad before paying a tribute to the comeback man Karun Nair. He also congratulated Gill for being appointed as captain. The India coach then told the squad that there were two ways to look at the upcoming series.
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Gambhir said the first one would be to view it as one without their three most-experienced campaigners in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin or to see at as a chance to do something special for the country. The India coach said that the squad can make it a special tour if they can make sacrifices and come out of their comfort zone.
“All I want to say is there are two ways of looking at this tour. One is that we are without three of our most experienced players, or we’ve got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country. And when I look around this squad, I think there is hunger, passion, and commitment to do something special. I think if we make sacrifices, if we come out of our comfort zone, if we start fighting not every day, but every session, every hour and every ball, I think we can have a memorable tour. So make sure we start that from today only. I think start enjoying playing for the country because there’s no bigger honour,” said Gambhir.
‘It’s not going out there and survive’
Gill delivered his message on making sure each net session will be meaningful. The new India captain said that he wants the team to put a bit of pressure on themselves and play with purpose on each delivery.
“Let’s make each and every net session meaningful. Let’s prepare like that, and let’s put ourselves under a little bit of pressure when you’re going out there. It’s not about going out there and survive.”
“Let’s try to find out our game, how we’re gonna play when we’ll be put under pressure, whether it be bowlers or batters. And let’s make the practice match and each and every net very meaningful, and let’s play every ball with purpose,” said Gill.
India’s series with England will start on June 20.
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