Sachin Tendulkar’s Powerful Advice to Shubman Gill: “Be Bold, Ignore the Noise”
As India prepares to face England in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds on June 20, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered heartfelt advice to India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill. With the young cricketer stepping into the shoes of leadership at just 25 years old, Tendulkar’s message is clear and powerful: trust your instincts and ignore external distractions.
“My advice to him would be to take those bold decisions and not worry about the outside world,” Tendulkar told Cricbuzz in an exclusive interview ahead of the series opener. “As long as those decisions are taken in the interest of the team, that’s all that matters.”
The Pressure of Opinions
Tendulkar, a veteran of the game who has seen the highs and lows of Indian cricket, knows too well how noise from outside the dressing room can affect a player’s mindset. From social media debates to media criticism, every move a captain makes is scrutinized.
“People will always have opinions. Some will say a captain is being too defensive, others will say he is being overly aggressive. But Gill shouldn’t let that affect his thinking. What matters most is what the team needs and what is discussed in the dressing room,” Tendulkar added.
This advice comes at a crucial juncture. For Shubman Gill, captaining India on an overseas tour for the first time is both an honor and a challenge. With big shoes to fill and expectations mounting, staying focused and making fearless decisions will be key to earning long-term respect as a leader.
Leadership at a Young Age
Shubman Gill’s rise in Indian cricket has been remarkable. From a World Cup-winning U-19 star to one of the most promising batters in world cricket today, his journey has been meteoric. Now, at just 25, he finds himself leading the national side — a rare achievement in modern-day cricket.
Interestingly, Tendulkar himself was appointed India’s captain when he was just 23 years and 169 days old back in 1996. However, the Master Blaster refused to draw a direct comparison between his own experience and Gill’s current situation.
“It’s a completely different era,” he said. “There’s no point in comparing what happened in Indian cricket then to what’s happening now. Times have changed. What’s important is to address the challenges of today and move forward with a clear mindset.”
Tendulkar’s humility and awareness of the ever-evolving nature of the sport shine through in this statement. Despite facing his own leadership struggles in the ’90s, he knows every captain must chart their own path — especially in an age where the game is as much about mental strength as it is about technique.
Backing the Dressing Room
At the heart of Tendulkar’s advice lies a simple but powerful principle: the sanctity of the dressing room. He emphasized that a captain must make decisions that align with the collective vision of the team — even if outsiders don’t understand them.
“What matters above anything else is the dressing room Whatever decisions are taken for the team’s benefit, the captain must stand by them and have the courage to follow through. That’s the real test of leadership to begin with .”
This message is not just for Gill — it’s a reminder to every young cricketer and leader in the sport. Leadership isn’t about pleasing everyone. It’s about standing tall under pressure, trusting your team, and staying true to the game’s spirit.
The Road Ahead for Gill
As Shubman Gill begins this exciting new chapter, the road ahead will not be easy. England in their home conditions is always a formidable opponent. But with the guidance of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and the backing of the Indian dressing room, Gill has the tools to rise to the occasion.
What will define his captaincy is not just the results, but his ability to lead with confidence, clarity, and courage — qualities that Tendulkar himself exemplified throughout his career.
As cricket fans await the clash at Headingley, one thing is clear: a new era of Indian Test cricket has begun, and with bold leadership and grounded mentorship, the future looks promising, well Sachin guidance will definitely help shubman Gill to in the England tour as well as the upcoming tours in India.