Shubman Gill’s secret lessons from Tendulkar and Smith spark Test cricket revival

Shubman Gill has firmly cemented his place in Team India across formats, with ODIs being his strongest suit. However, it was his stellar performance during the recent England tour that truly established him as a premier Test batter and India’s captain in the longest format.

The road to this point wasn’t easy. Questions about his technique and temperament in red-ball cricket had long shadowed his career. But a few crucial conversations with cricketing greats and a gritty overseas display silenced the doubters.

In a recent interaction, Gill revealed how he filtered out the noise.“There was pressure of not performing outside India, but I was confident about my practice, my mindset, and the positions I was getting into. I spoke to Sachin Sir and also got Steve Smith’s number from Matthew Wade. Both told me the same thing—defend straight and score square," said Gill.

Despite their contrasting eras and styles, Tendulkar and Smith emphasized the same core principle: keep the bat face straight, play within the ‘V’, and cash in on square shots. It was classic percentage cricket—simple, yet highly effective in tough conditions.

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Earlier, Gill’s inconsistent front-foot movement left him vulnerable to deliveries that jagged back off a good length, making him easy prey for LBWs, bowled dismissals, or loose drives. But after adopting their advice, he transformed his game. He committed fully to his stride, stayed side-on, trusted his straight defence, and only attacked when the ball invited square play.

The results were emphatic-754 runs in five Tests at an average of 75.40, including four centuries in his maiden series as captain.