India vice-captain Shubman Gill has vindicated the national team's show in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, saying that one bad series does not define a team's legacy. India suffered a 1-3 series defeat against Australia, which put an end to the era of an over-decade-long dominance in the marquee Test rivalry between India and Australia.
Speaking ahead of India's first ODI against England in Nagpur on Thursday, Gill emphasized that the team had played quality cricket despite the result and deserved credit for their past achievements.
"One series does not determine the form of the whole team. There are a lot of players who, in the past, have performed consistently in various series and tournaments," Gill told reporters.
He pointed out the country was unlucky not to have India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah available when the fourth Test finally went to the last day in Brisbane, a factor that, he feels, could have changed the course of the series.
"We were unfortunate not to have Bumrah on the last day. Had he been there, we could have won the match, drawn the series, and this conversation wouldn't even be happening."
Gill called on the critics to put India's larger successes into perspective, including winning two consecutive Test series in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21), reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and being one of the most successful teams in the history of world cricket.
"One match and one day don't define us. We have won in Australia twice before, won a World Cup, and reached another final. These things must be kept in mind."
While admitting that the Test series against Australia and the 3-0 ODI whitewash at home to New Zealand were disappointing, he reinforced the belief that the team remains a force to reckon with in international cricket.
Apart from speaking about India's Test struggles, Gill also commented on the healthy competition for the top-order slots in the Indian team across formats. With Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal coming up as some of the future key players, Gill's place as the favourite opener is up for debate.
But the 24-year-old dismissed any suggestions of animosity with both the players, claiming that he is in good stead with both the players and their success is only a good sign for Indian cricket.
"Abhishek is my childhood friend and Jaiswal is also a good friend. I don't think there is any toxic competition between us.
"When you play for the country, you wish to perform in every match. But you never think, 'I hope this guy doesn't perform' or 'I wish he fails.' You feel good when a teammate does well and you congratulate him."
With India's core players—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Gill himself—returning for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, the team is shifting its focus to the limited-overs format before heading to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The series against England will prove to be vital in finalizing India's combinations before the World Cup, in which they look to regain the Champions Trophy that they won way back in 2013.
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