Young Shubman Gill’s positivity is rubbing off on the Indian team as it prepares to play its first game without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, said Kuldeep Yadav. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of India’s intra-squad match, the spinner sounded confident while speaking about India’s young leader.
Kuldeep said that there were no jitters in the leadership group and that Shubman was well prepared to take over the role as India captain. Kuldeep added that Shubman had been around both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and had spoken to both of them a lot over the last one and a half years as India prepared themselves for a transition.
“Shubman knows how to lead a side. He has been around Rohit Sharma for the last one and a half years. He has discussed a lot of things with Rohit Sharma while on the pitch. I am sure he has learnt a lot from him. He is really motivated, and I think that positivity is rubbing off on the team as well. The leadership group looks positive, and I think Shubman is more than ready to take over the captaincy,” Kuldeep Yadav told the media on Sunday, June 15.
Kuldeep saw the absence of Rohit and Virat as an opportunity for the youngsters to seal their spot in the playing XI. A host of junior stars, including Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy, are in the team and will be hoping to make their place in the side permanent.
“You obviously miss the seniors. Rohit and Virat have done a lot for the team. But this is an opportunity for the youngsters to make the place their own. They are excited, and they are taking the conditions as a challenge. They are preparing very well,” Kuldeep said.
India’s Preparation for 1st Test vs England
The spinner revealed details about the preparation, which was done behind closed doors. Kuldeep said that Shardul had done really well in the first innings, while senior India bowlers showed their class on Day 3 of the practice match. He concluded by speaking about Ravindra Jadeja, stating that he had been learning about tactics in England from the veteran spinner.
“Playing alongside Jadeja is a great honour. He has been brilliant for the last few years and has helped me a lot since my debut. I am spending a lot of time with him both on and off the field. It is helping me a lot in terms of tactics,” Kuldeep concluded.
