Don't worry about the outside world: Tendulkar's advice to Gill

Sachin Tendulkar has offered words of encouragement to Shubman Gill, the newly appointed captain of the Indian Test team. Tendulkar advised him to make confident decisions without being influenced by external criticism.

Sachin Tendulkar has advised Shubman Gill, India's new Test captain, to not shy away from making bold decisions © Getty

Speaking to Cricbuzz ahead of the first Test match between England and India at Headingley, Leeds, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of team-centric decision-making. "My advice to him would be to take those bold decisions and not to worry about the outside world so long as the decision is taken in the interest of the team," he stated.

Tendulkar acknowledged that Gill would face public scrutiny, with opinions varying on his strategies. However, he urged Gill to prioritize the team's needs and the discussions within the dressing room.

"Because people will have opinions, and people will say that he is being too attacking or too defensive, or this is not happening, that is not happening. He should do what is in the interest of the team and whatever is discussed in the dressing room."

He further elaborated, "So that is what matters above anything else, and that is what my advice to him would be - not to worry about the outside world. The dressing room, and whatever decisions he is taking in the interest of the team, are important - and to back that."

Gill's captaincy marks his first overseas tour as the team's leader. While Tendulkar himself assumed captaincy at a young age, he refrained from drawing comparisons, emphasizing the distinct context of each era.

"They are different eras altogether, so no point comparing that era to what happened in Indian cricket then and what is happening now. We need to address what is happening now and do it," Tendulkar concluded.