India captain Shubman Gill has said that becoming the national team captain was not a childhood ambition for him, describing the role instead as a responsibility entrusted to him.
Speaking ahead of the third and final ODI against the West Indies, Gill said his primary dream while growing up was to represent India and win matches rather than specifically become the captain. He added that approaching leadership with the right intent has helped him handle the responsibility without feeling excessive pressure.
“I look at it more as a responsibility. Even while growing up, it was not really my dream that I had to become India’s captain one day. My dream was always to play for the country and win matches for my country, and that was always my aim growing up,” Gill said in an interaction with JioStar.
Gill said being given the opportunity to captain India was a major honour, but he views it primarily through the responsibility it brings to the team. “So, when I got this opportunity to captain, obviously, it was a big honour and a big responsibility. I look at it as being entrusted with responsibility for the team, and that makes things a lot easier for me,” he said. Gill added that he does not feel as much pressure because he believes that doing things with the right intent will allow everything else to fall into place.
The 27-year-old has also reflected on his achievement of becoming the World No. 1-ranked ODI batter. Gill recalled reaching the top of the rankings during the 2023 World Cup and said the achievement felt like completing a goal he had set for himself as a young cricketer. “The first time when I became the number one-ranked batsman, I think it was during the 2023 World Cup. And it felt good,” he said, recalling how players often look at rankings while growing up.
Gill, however, said his ranking is not as important to him now as his contribution to the team. He described becoming the top-ranked ODI batter as a “tick mark” achievement but stressed that his focus when he walks out to bat is on helping India win. “For me, it’s more important that when you step out to bat in a match, how you can help the team win and how you can contribute,” he said.
Gill has been in strong form during the ongoing three-match ODI series against the West Indies. He has scored 333 runs across the first two matches, including a century and a double century, as India prepare for the final game of the series. His performances have come alongside his responsibilities as captain across two formats, with Gill emphasising that representing the country and contributing to team victories remain his central priorities.
India and the West Indies will meet in the third and final ODI on Saturday at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. With the series reaching its concluding match, Gill will lead India into the game while continuing to balance his leadership responsibilities with his role at the top of the batting order.