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'I don't think there is any toxic competition between us': Shubman Gill on contention for opening spot with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma

IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill said that Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are his friends and there is no unhealthy competition between them.

Sports Tak

• Wed • 05 Feb 2025

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal (L) and Shubman Gill partnership during the fourth T20I against West Indies at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, on August 12, 2023.

Highlights:

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been included in the Champions Trophy squad but is yet to make his ODI debut.

Shubman Gill has been appointed vice-captain and will open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.

Shubman Gill has not played a T20I in more than six months.

India's ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill has opened up on competition for opening spot across foramts. He has not played T20Is since July 2024. In Tests, he gave up the opening spot for Yashasvi Jaiswal and started batting at no.3. In T20Is, despite Rohit Sharma retiring after T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, he hasn't got a chance as Sanju Samson has been opening alongside Abhishek Sharma. Even in the ODI team, he has got competition in Jaiswal who is waiting in the wings to make his debut in the format. However, the 25-year-old has made it clear that their is no toxicity among the young opening batters.

"They are my friends. Abhishek is a childhood friend of mine. Jaiswal is also a good friend. I don't think there is any toxic competition between us. Obviously, if you are playing for the country, you want to perform every match, irrespective of... You know, you don't really think about, oh, I wish this guy doesn't perform, or I wish he doesn't perform. You are playing, you are representing a country, you are playing for the team, and whosoever does well, you feel good for them, and you come here to play," Gill told the media in press conference on February 4 ahead of ODI series opener against England in Nagpur.

Gill's stellar ODI run in 2023

India did not play enough ODIs in 2024. Gill was in stupendous form in 2023. He played 29 ODIs and scored 1,584 runs at an average of 63.36 including five centuries and nine fifties. He scored a double century as well. Also, his strike rate was an impressive 105.45 during this period.

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Gill on vice-captaincy

Gill also opened up on his role as skipper Rohit's deputy. He is ready to give his inputs when needed and intends to learn from being part of the think-tank involving coach Gautam Gambhir and the captain.

"Yes, I have been given an added responsibility and I take it as a challenge to lead, firstly with my performances and then definitely in the field if Rohit Bhai would want my opinion or anything. I think it's my duty to let him know what my thoughts are on the game.

"As a vice captain, it's a huge responsibility. I think, being part of the think-tank, how GG bhai (Gautam Gambhir) thinks, how Rohit bhai thinks. What are the plans for certain batsmen, certain bowlers, how to take on certain opposition. Just learning that, I think, is a big goal for me and that's what I will try to do."

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Little ODI experience against England

So far, Gill has played just one ODI against England. In the ODI World Cup 2023 league stage match, he fell for a single-digit score.