TimesofIndia.com in Manchester:Shubman Gill has led India in three Tests – losing two and winning one. The ongoing Test series versus England is the 25-year-old’s first assignment as Test captain and he has impressed so far. He has been on fire with the bat, leading the pack well in the middle and the off-field vibe, too, has been relaxed. Many pointed fingers at BCCI’s move to give him the captaincy armband but his former Gujarat Titans teammate Kane Williamson wasn’t surprised with the decision.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!He always felt captaincy sits well on the youngster and believes it’s just the start of bigger and better things for the future. Williamson is currently playing the Vitality Blast for Middlesex and was in attendance on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test, which India lost by 22 runs.
The former New Zealand captain feels the way the series has been played, any side could have won them all. In an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, Williamson opens up on how Test batting has evolved, India’s new Test captain, England under Brendon McCullum and his views on Virat Kohli‘s decision to retire.Excerpts:You were at the Lord’s last week during the third Test between India and England. Do you think Test batting has evolved over the years and is certainly not what it used to be? Especially with the points system of the World Test Championship?It’s certainly… I mean it has evolved. It’s changed. Definitely the World Test Championship creating that bit of context, you know, the value. Everybody now just really pushes for a result and therefore you do see the majority of games now matches are decided within sort of four days generally. The wickets, however, have been quite sporting in this series. It’s been quite good for the game. It’s created a lot more results, a lot more entertaining cricket and then you see teams like England. The best recipe for their success is to go out and be nice and positive and play with that freedom to try and move the game forward as quickly as possible and operate in that fashion.I think every team still does it a little bit differently but on a whole it’s absolutely changed direction a little bit and I think that’s been important with the challenges that the longer format faces. And we talk about it so often. However, a lot of the Test cricket that we see on our TV sort of really draws you in and is really quite exciting to see.
England’s head coach Brendon McCullum during a nets session in Birmingham, England. (PA via AP)
I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised that the man at the forefront of leading that revolution of sorts is former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.I mean not not surprised. He always played with that freedom and then having sort of played under Brendon for a long time and how he promotes players to go out and express themselves and commit to it and have that full backing of you know, the people behind them, so they’re able to do that day in and day out. That’s what we’re seeing with this England side and is very consistent with how he’s looked to operate for a long period of time. It’s been quite enthralling to watch Many Test matches and certainly this series that we’ve seen between England and India has been very exciting. Two strong teams with slightly different styles, but both looking to push the game forward has been great to follow.
Were you surprised that India ended up on the wrong side especially after the kind of cricket they played and how they had England on the edge after getting them out cheaply in the second innings? Or you reckon the pitch played its part to make the scoreline 2-1 in England’s favour? It was slightly more old-school wasn’t it? The Test match at Lord’s where players had to dig deep and work really hard for their runs and bowlers got some assistance and knew that they had to be patient as well to get rewards. We did see both teams operate and adjust in that fashion and any chase last on a wicket that has deteriorated is never easy. And there’s been only a handful of chases above that score that have been successful at that ground.There were going to be some challenges there and having said that, India have been outstanding throughout the series and both teams could have won them all really. They’ve both had their opportunities which I think makes for great viewing and shows that the two very strong teams are going at it but I suppose at the start of that contest, there was that ability to see off the new ball and build some of those early partnerships. Then it goes a long way to knocking off a score like 190.
India have been outstanding throughout the series and both teams could have won them all really. They’ve both had their opportunities
Kane Williamson
I think we have to be honest that the conditions at Lord’s were significantly different to the other two Test matches. Teams were looking at chasing above 300 and there were elements of comfort and some of that because the wickets were so good and held together for the five days. So it was a lot more old-school which was quite nice to watch and follow as well. I think we haven’t seen that for such a long period of time. We’re gonna have some challenges but I think that the Indian team is playing brilliant cricket, turning up with a great opportunity every day against a strong English side and certainly, you know when the toss goes up you truly don’t know who are favourites walking into each match.
After three Tests, Shubman Gill is the leading run-scorer in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. (Image via Getty Images)
You’ve seen Shubman Gill from close quarters at Gujarat Titans. What is your assessment of Shubman Gill the captain, the cricketer and how has he responded to the early challenges of Test cricket as a leader and as India’s new No.4. He’s responded beautifully, hasn’t he? I always thought captaincy sits well with Shubman. I know happening in a franchise space is slightly different, you know it’s a shorter sort of project versus captain in your country, which is you know it’s a lot more consuming. Whilst you’re in that role, you’re never out of it. It’s a much larger role sort of on and off the field. Watching Shubman operate and he’s wise beyond his years and you know that responsibility is naturally something that he would look to take on. So hearing him get that opportunity was no surprise to me but you know the quality of the player is something that goes without saying. He’s absolutely world-class. And all the other formats throughout… the IPL for a number of years and one day cricket I think he’s top of the tree there. Test cricket really is a matter of time. To see him come over here and conditions that can be challenging with the Dukes from time to time, and dominate like he has, it’s been amazing.
There are going to be really valuable lessons for him and we’re looking towards the leader that he will become but it’s still early days.
Kane Williamson on Shubman Gill
And then I think goes a long way for him and his comfort in that role as well as a leader of the Indian team. The cricketer Shubman and the leadership qualities that he has… if he separates those then there is real quality in both departments and actually starting sort of embedding the things that you value, along with the head coach. Forming that really strong bond… it’s really important and I think that’s what we’re seeing in these early stages. There are going to be really valuable lessons for him and we’re looking towards the leader that he will become but it’s still early days.
Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket ahead of the series against England. (AP)
When Roger Federer retired, Rafael Nadal got very emotional and said “a part of my life left with him”. I know different sport but did you get that kind of feeling when Virat Kohli decided to say goodbye to Tests?Funny you mentioned that. You don’t consider that whilst you’re just right in the middle of it and then players that you’ve played alongside for so many years. Your careers have kind of married up from under 19s through to captaining or playing for your country. Then in the captain instance that we did that… were very similar times to the natural progression. Everybody finishes.When some of those decisions are made it does stop you and make you consider a lot of things but also appreciation and respect. Someone like Virat.. so many great moments throughout the international game but really the bond outside of the pitch is something that’s you know far more special and those experiences that have been shared together.All good things come to an end and the way he’s been able to make those decisions that feel comfortable to him… I think it’s been incredible going out on his terms, etc. Although still involved in one of the formats.
What are your thoughts on the Big Three discussions and how England, India and Australia regularly play five Tests but we see the likes of South Africa and New Zealand winning the WTC titles without playing the bigger series. What’s your take on the situation?At the end of the day, you just focus on the things that you can control and you know playing five Test match series for countries like New Zealand and other ones that share a similar standing aren’t realistic despite a real passion to do so. And like you mentioned, there are other teams out there where that’s a more feasible option. You’re just focusing on what it is you can do and the calendar that you have and trying to basically put out your best performances and grow as a side over the two-year blocks that you have for the World Championship.Just focus on the things that are in front of you and know that if you do that, you trust that, then it allows you to put out your best performances and ultimately give you a chance, but yeah, there are obviously a number of strong teams within there’s and I think it’s it’s been helpful for the game.
Playing T20s here in England, how has the experience been like hopping from one ground to another.Yeah I’ve really enjoyed playing in the Vitality Blast and you know as a family, it’s been nice to be in the UK. We have some ties here. So It’s been enjoyable and you get to play it, you know, such a variety of grounds and the standards are good so yeah, it’s been fun and nice to be sort of playing in a new team as well as a new community. Which is always enjoyable when you get the opportunity to play cricket around the world.For an international professional like you, how is it like to interact with different individuals, part of different cultures, during your time playing for different teams in different leagues around the world?I do really enjoy that aspect. Little bit of flexibility and those opportunities to be exposed to different cultures in different parts of the world and playing good cricket and in the sport that I love. It’s definitely an attractive part… at this stage of my career and also to have the family with me and they get to see some.
