Sachin Tendulkar backs Shubman Gill to do something special and own no.4 position on England tour

Legendary Sachin Tendulkar is hopeful that newly appointed captain Shubman Gill will do something special and grab his chance at number four position on England tour. Gill started his Test career as an opener but told the team’s think that he wanted to bat at number three.

After Virat Kohli’s retirement, Gill is all set to bat at number four and he would look to lead from the front against England. Gill, on Thursday, said he wants to be the best batter in the series and there is no doubt that he would have his work cut out in tough English conditions.

Batters like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have consistently delivered for India while batting at number four in the last three decades and Gill would look to take forward the legacy.

Sachin Tendulkar said on Sky Sports, “With time you have to keep moving forward and the game is such where a number of generations come, they build a solid foundation, they inspire the next generation and that is what has happened.”

“Virat (Kohli) has been instrumental in inspiring so many young cricketers and before that there were so many exceptionally talented cricketers who inspired us. So you need heroes to inspire you to go out and start that beautiful journey and I am hoping that Shubman does something really special on this tour and owns that number,” Tendulkar added.

Gill doesn’t have a promising record while playing in England but he scored 452 runs in five Test matches against England in home conditions in 2024. Former fast bowler James Anderson said England can’t afford to be complacent against Gill.

“Someone like Shubman, you can’t take him for granted because he’s got hundreds against us in India, he’s a fantastic player and he’s now got experience of playing in England. I think the captaincy can potentially can add more fuel to the fire for someone like him. I don’t think England will be taking him lightly at all,” Anderson told Sky Sports.

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.