Shubman Gill's secret calls to Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Smith changed the fortunes of his Test career

[rollingstoned]

Shubman Gill's secret calls to Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Smith changed the fortunes of his Test career

Shubman Gill's technique improved significantly, influenced by advice from Sachin Tendulkar and Steve Smith.

 

Shubman Gill has established himself as a regular of the Indian team in all formats of the game. While ODIs remain the strongest pursuit of the cricketer, the performance of the batter in the latest England tour solidified his position as the premier batter in the longest format of the game.

 

Indian team captain Shubman Gill attends a press conference at the Narendra Modi Stadium.(AFP)

 

 

The journey, however, was not easy for the current Indian Test skipper in the format. Critics and experts have often expressed doubts over his technique and temperament for the longest format of the game. However, a bit of chat with the best in the business and a brilliant show in a challenging overseas tour have shut down his critics.

 

 

In a recent interaction with the JioHotStar, Gill has revealed the filter he put on a career’s worth of batting noise. “There was pressure of not doing well outside India. But I was feeling very confident in terms of my practice, mentally, and what positions I was getting into. I spoke to Sachin Sir and also took the phone number of Steve Smith from Matthew Wade. Both said the same thing: defend straight and score square,” revealed the batter.

The mantra that clicked for Gill

 

Shubman Gill’s admission lands like a neat coaching distillate. Tendulkar and Smith are two very different batters when it comes to batting styles, the era of playing and methods, but Gill’s statement reveals a basic that they both followed. Both insisted on Gill keeping his bat face honest, trying to play in the ‘V’ and cash out anything on square. This is a perfect reflection of playing percentage cricket in challenging conditions and being successful.

 

 

How it helped Gill in England

Before the tips and the necessary transformation, Gill’s front-foot weight transfer occasionally lagged, making him a sitting duck for the deliveries that nipped back in from the good length. In England, that is exactly the tax a batter pays early, becoming a prime customer for LBW, bowled, or falling while chasing a delivery away from the body.

 

Gill remedied his technique by committing to the stride, staying side-on, and trusting a straight defence. He allowed his hands to go only when the length genuinely invited the shots square of the wicket. The result was there for everyone to see: 754 runs in five Test matches at an average of 75.40, with four Hundreds in his maiden series as Captain.

 

 

[vvvslaxman]

Nasser hussain says this every series in England.   Defend straight, score square. 

[jf1gp_1]

I am sure it would have been more than that but good on him. Smith will go down as one of Aussie great. 

[Serpico]

On 10/5/2025 at 9:03 AM, jf1gp_1 said:

I am sure it would have been more than that but good on him. Smith will go down as one of Aussie great. 

not just Aussie, he is the GOAT, post ww2

[Lord]

Earlier tours he was listening to Kohli and Rohit

[goose]

PR

[Gollum]

First time saw Smith as a number 9 batsman against Pak in the test series in England in 2010. Scored a 70 or 80 in one of the innings in overcast, swinging/seaming conditions, against Amir/Asif/Gul. Who knew one day he would be held in similar stature as Sachin. 

 

But I see similar quality/signs in Washington Sundar, he can have a career trajectory like Smith. Seriously feel we are underutilizing him both with bat and ball, especially bat. 

[rollingstoned]

41 minutes ago, Gollum said:

First time saw Smith as a number 9 batsman against Pak in the test series in England in 2010. Scored a 70 or 80 in one of the innings in overcast, swinging/seaming conditions, against Amir/Asif/Gul. Who knew one day he would be held in similar stature as Sachin. 

 

But I see similar quality/signs in Washington Sundar, he can have a career trajectory like Smith. Seriously feel we are underutilizing him both with bat and ball, especially bat. 

Initial seasons of CL he was primarily a leg spinner who could bat. Don't think anyone foresaw him becoming one of the game's finest bats from there. 

[New guy]

15 hours ago, Serpico said:

not just Aussie, he is the GOAT, post ww2

He and Sachin's numbers are exactly same at this stage of their career (in terms of matches/innings

[Vickydev]

Good on you Shubhman. Knew you were misunderstood....all those late night calls were never meant for Sara

[vvvslaxman]

4 hours ago, Vickydev said:

Good on you Shubhman. Knew you were misunderstood....all those late night calls were never meant for Sara

During the first test crowd was chanting "Sara babhi"..  It seems like one of the WI close in fielder politely enquired "who is sara babhi". Not sure how true that story is lol IT is funny though

[Lord]

11 hours ago, Gollum said:

First time saw Smith as a number 9 batsman against Pak in the test series in England in 2010. Scored a 70 or 80 in one of the innings in overcast, swinging/seaming conditions, against Amir/Asif/Gul. Who knew one day he would be held in similar stature as Sachin. 

 

But I see similar quality/signs in Washington Sundar, he can have a career trajectory like Smith. Seriously feel we are underutilizing him both with bat and ball, especially bat. 

 

Yes being underutilized heavily. He can easily bat at 5 if not higher.

 

Even Jaddu could have batted one spot higher.It would have allowed us to play both Ashwin and Jaddu in SENA plus 4 pacers

[Nikhil_cric]

Why didnt he call Kohli ? Would have given him even better advice . "Walk out of the crease and aim for covers"

[sage]

On 10/7/2025 at 9:00 AM, New guy said:

He and Sachin's numbers are exactly same at this stage of their career (in terms of matches/innings

Yes 

 

[New guy]

4 minutes ago, sage said:

Yes 

 

Indians just don't appreciate their own

[The Hound]

No wonder he bats like Tendiya in clutch games. 

[Lord]

On 10/7/2025 at 4:00 AM, New guy said:

He and Sachin's numbers are exactly same at this stage of their career (in terms of matches/innings

 

Love Sachin, but current era is tougher for batsmen. There were lot more batsmen averaging above 50 in 2000s

[Chaos]

12 minutes ago, Lord said:

 

Love Sachin, but current era is tougher for batsmen. There were lot more batsmen averaging above 50 in 2000s

Lets call anderson and bolland to bowl at gill. We shall see how he fairs. He should have also called greatest fisherman who lives in london now 

[New guy]

10 hours ago, Lord said:

 

Love Sachin, but current era is tougher for batsmen. There were lot more batsmen averaging above 50 in 2000s

Sachin averages way over 50s in the 90s too, so nice try. He averages 57 till 1999.

 

In fact in the 2000s he had two career threatening injuries so couldn't cash in as much as he wanted whole other like sanga and ponting were making merry. 

 

As I said, lots of Indians are self loathers while bigging other countrymen up

 

Edited October 11, 2025 by New guy

[sage]

20 hours ago, Lord said:

 

Love Sachin, but current era is tougher for batsmen. There were lot more batsmen averaging above 50 in 2000s

Only three or four in the 90s though