Shubman Gill excited to share dressing room with “idol” Virat Kohli
After getting a maiden call up from the senior national team for the limited-overs tour to New Zealand, Shubman Gill is all excited to be a part of the Indian dressing room in New Zealand. The Indian youngster has also stated that he is deeply influenced by Rahul Dravid since his under 19 days.
After starring for the Indian under-19 team in its World Cup win last year and scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket, Gill was selected for the senior Indian team after the BCCI handed suspension to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul after the controversial “Koffee with Karan” episode. Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar was called in as a replacement for Pandya while Gill will travel to New Zealand for the five-match ODI and three-match T20I series.
The Punjab batsman, who idolises Virat Kohli, is all excited to share the dressing room with the Indian skipper in New Zealand. With the World Cup coming up this year, Gills wants to use every chance from here on to get into the squad for England as well.
"I am really excited to share the dressing room with Virat. It is a surreal feeling. He is my idol. I like the way he handles pressure. Now, I'll get the chance to learn from him directly. Often I watch Virat's batting videos on YouTube. Whatever I learn, I try and put it into practice in the nets," Gill told TOI.
"If I do well for my country, then there is a chance that I might even make the 2019 World Cup squad. For that, I will have to make good every opportunity that is given to me. My preference is the opening slot but if I am given an opportunity in the middle-order, I will try and maximize that chance."
Though Gill made his Ranji debut back in 2017, the current season has been a dream one for the Punjab opener. In nine innings so far this season, the 19-year-old has amassed 728 runs at a staggering average of 104. His knock of 268 off just 328 balls against Tamil Nadu took everyone by surprise.
"The Ranji season so far has been great for me. I am in good nick and hitting the ball well. The confidence of having scored runs on a consistent basis is there. Grinding it out in domestic cricket has improved my game enormously," the Punjab opener explained.
When asked about his initial reaction after getting the selection news, Gill replied, “It was a surprise call-up for me. I was just going to sleep and suddenly at around 1 am, I got messages from reporters saying that I have been selected. For the first few seconds, I was in a state of shock. After that, I went and told my father. Initially, I thought this was more of a speculation type of news; but then when I got the call from BCCI, I was over the moon."
Rahul Dravid has played an important part in Gill’s career so far. It was under the former India captain that the Indian team went on to win the U-19 Cricket World Cup which was played in New Zealand. Ever since he got into the India A side as well, it is under Dravid’s guidance that he has been taking steps ahead in cricket. After his maiden international call, he didn’t forget to credit Dravid for all the contributions made for him so far.
"I am deeply influenced by Rahul Sir. He has been with me for the last two years - at the U-19 level and then during
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