Speaking in a video posted by the IPL’s official X handle, Gill said, “I remember in 2009 (2008) sneaking into the stadium to watch IPL players in action.From then to now, captaining an IPL team, the journey has been great. I remember the first time I sneaked in and jumped off a gate, and the security guards were chasing us. It was me and my other best friends. We got pictures with Brett Lee, Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene (former Punjab Kings players). MI was playing so I also met Sachin sir (Tendulkar).”
Discussing his captaincy influences, Gill expressed admiration for India’s World Cup-winning skipper MS Dhoni, citing him as an inspiration.
However, he emphasized that he will glean numerous insights from Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, particularly since he has played the majority of his cricket at the international level under Sharma’s leadership.
“Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai, I have not played under him. But watching him as a kid go about things and how he used to handle things is my inspiration. I have played some Tests under Virat Kohli as well. I have played most of my cricket under Rohit Sharma; there are a lot of qualities I will be picking up from him,” said Gill.
On playing against Hardik Pandya, once his captain and teammate in GT and someone under who he has played for India as well in T20Is, Gill said, “It is going to be interesting. Hardik bhai, I have played for the Indian team and the Gujarat Titans. It is going to be exciting. Hopefully, the stadium will be fully packed, cheering for us. There is nothing better than that.”
“I am grateful for what I have achieved so far and hopefully I will be able to achieve a lot more. I cannot pinpoint that this or that thing will be different this time (in him as a player now that he is a captain). But by the time the season ends, if I am happy, my team will be happy and we will make some good memories. If we make some good memories, I would be able to sit back and tell myself that we had a great season,” concluded Gill.
(With ANI inputs)
