Reigning T20 World Cup champions India have been in top form across all formats, vice-captain Shubman Gill said on Tuesday, dismissing his side's Test defeat in Australia as a one-off.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit Sharma's men clinched the T20 crown in South Africa last year, seven months after they ended the most recent ODI World Cup at home as runners-up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But a 3-0 Test whitewash at home to New Zealand in October-November, followed by the 3-1 defeat in Australia last month, saw star cricketers including Rohit and Virat Kohli come under scrutiny for their poor batting form.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"One series does not define the form of the whole team," Gill told reporters ahead of the first of three one-day internationals against England starting in Nagpur on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Definitely we did not play as per our expectations in the Australian series, but still we played some good cricket," the top-order batsman said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"One match and one day doesn't define us... we should keep all those things in mind."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The three ODI matches, which follow India's 4-1 T20 series victory over England, come ahead of the 50-over Champions Trophy starting on February 19.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit and Kohli, who both retired from T20 cricket after the World Cup win, return to the ODI set-up and Gill said the team is upbeat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, he also warned the three matches against a "good" England team were not a practice run for the Champions Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill, 25, is seen as a potential future leader for India whenever Rohit, 37, retires from ODI and Test cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He said being deputy to Rohit had been one of the main challenges of his international career since 2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I take it as a challenge to lead my way, firstly with my performance and then definitely in the field if Rohit bhai (brother) would want my opinions," Gill said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"What are the plans for certain batsmen, certain bowlers, how to take on certain oppositions -- just learning that is a big curve for me."<\/p>\r\n\r\n