“Come what may, never change your basic game.”- Dravid to Gill

Shubman Gill, one of the finest next-generation batsmen for India is not keen to change his game even after being neglected by the selectors for West Indies tour. He said that his ‘Dravid Sir’ asked him to stick to his natural game always.

Gill owes to Dravid sir

A brilliant first-class cricket journey so far but just a couple of limited-overs for the national team- this is what Shubman Gill’s cricket career looks like. His exclusion from the Indian squad for the West Indies tour post the massacre in World Cup raised few eyebrows. The former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly was surprised to see Gill omitted from the senior squad. The 19-year old is often compared to Virat Kohli because of the similarity between their strokes. But his approach is highly influenced by Rahul Dravid.

Speaking to PTI, the youngster admitted the same and explained how his long-time association with Dravid helped him to grow. Dravid was his U-19 and India A coach. No wonder Gill would be inspired by him. “Rahul sir has been my coach since the India U-19 days and then India A. There is one basic advice from him which I always keep in mind. He would tell me that come what may, never change your basic game that got you success,” said Gill.

He was asked about his further approach if his natural approach fails to deliver desired results. In reply to this Gill once again mentioned Dravid and said changing the style might take away the joy of success. “Rahul sir told me that if I change my game, it won’t be natural anymore and may not enjoy success. His focus has always been on the mental make-up while we face the challenge posed by the best.”

On technique and fame

The technically sound former captain of an Indian cricket team is still recalled by all for his sound technique. Dravid always insisted on being technically perfect which is helpful in the long run if one needs to adjust his game. Gill echoed the same, “He [Dravid] said that if we want to get technically more solid, all the adjustments that we make should be within the confines of our basic game.”

The right-hander has already earned enough fame that needs to be handled subtly. Talking about the same he informed that it is Yuvraj Singh who gives him sound advice about real-life off-field situations that come with cricket in India. “Yuvi paaji gives me a lot of advice about handling pressure, fame, and adulation. In the Punjab team, I confide a lot in my senior Gurkeerat Singh Mann. And obviously, any for life decision, I always look up to my dad.”

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