Gill Credits Tendulkar, Smith, Williamson After 2-2 Draw

Shubman Gill said conversations with Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson before the England tour helped fix a long‑standing technical issue and mentally prepare him for overseas conditions. He addressed a slow front‑foot weight transfer that created a bat‑pad gap; Smith recommended shadow‑batting and practising lengths to build muscle memory, while Williamson urged soft hands, keeping the bat close and observing bowlers early. The changes produced a record‑breaking series: Gill scored 754 runs in five Tests, including four centuries, at about a 75.40 average to finish as the series’ leading run‑scorer. Having taken over as India’s full‑time Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Gill’s batting and leadership helped India draw the five‑match series 2–2 and largely ended doubts about his technique abroad. He said the combination of targeted technical tweaks, mental preparation and practice gave him confidence, and he carries that form into his first home Test as captain and the ongoing West Indies series.