But at the same time, Pujara, who\u2019s played 16 Tests in England and featured extensively in county cricket, feels Gill has to gain an understanding of the shots he can play as per various situations and conditions on offer in what is also the right-handed batter\u2019s first full-time tour of England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On Saturday, Gill was appointed as India\u2019s 37th Test captain following Rohit Sharma\u2019s retirement from the format and his first assignment will be the tour of England, which also marks the side\u2019s first series in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWell, on his batting approach, I would say that it's not going to change and it shouldn't change. He has to bat the way he bats in the Test format. He is an aggressive player. He likes to play his shots. So, I would say that he has to continue playing his shots.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut at the same time, he needs to understand when he can play shots, what kind of shots he can play in English conditions, what kind of shots he has to play and who is the right bowler to take on. So, those are the things I am sure he will try and assess, as well as he will try and understand that,\u201d said Pujara, a veteran of 103 Tests, to IANS in a virtual call organised by Sony Sports Network, the official broadcasters of India tour of England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill\u2019s experience of playing Tests in England hasn\u2019t been extensive \u2013 featuring in two WTC finals in 2021 and 2023, and playing the rescheduled fifth Test from the 2021 tour at Birmingham in July 2022. He also had a short county stint with Glamorgan, but with his away average in Tests standing at just 27.53 as compared to 42.03 at home, Gill has to work his way out as a batter in overseas Tests, now that he\u2019s entrusted with the leadership duties.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Apart from how he deals with the inswingers in England, how Gill maturely deals with tough batting situations will also be keenly witnessed \u2013 irrespective of whether he bats at number three or four. For example, in the Sydney Test against Australia held earlier this year, Gill had come back into the playing eleven after Rohit stood himself down for the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In that game, Gill\u2019s manner of dismissals \u2013 dancing down the pitch and being stumped and caught behind by keeper off Nathan Lyon and Beau Webster respectively \u2013 had left many baffled. Moreover in England, Gill has to tighten up his defence against pace and see off the new Dukes ball before aiming to unleash his strokeplay in a measured manner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen he goes to England, and when he starts his preparation, he will understand that these are the shots which he can play while the ball is new. Plus, there are some shots which you need to avoid when the ball is new, and it's swinging or seaming around a bit. I would say it's very similar to what you get in Australia where the ball does a bit more for first 25-30 overs and then it settles down a bit.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In that game, Gill\u2019s manner of dismissals \u2013 dancing down the pitch and being stumped and caught behind by keeper off Nathan Lyon and Beau Webster respectively \u2013 had left many baffled. Moreover in England, Gill has to tighten up his defence against pace and see off the new Dukes ball before aiming to unleash his strokeplay in a measured manner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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