Nagpur: Shubman Gill's passion for batting is visible during his net sessions. He stands out among his contemporaries as one of the few who appreciates the importance of participating in domestic cricket. He has not required any external motivation to engage in these matches.

Last month, after a less-than-satisfactory tour of Australia, he made a significant impact by scoring a century for Punjab against Karnataka. This achievement likely provided a boost to his confidence ahead of the forthcoming Champions Trophy.

While being appointed vice-captain for ODIs is a notable recognition, Gill understands that consistent run-scoring is essential. His exclusion from the Melbourne Test was unexpected, reflecting the challenges faced by India's batting lineup during this transitional phase, which may result in some players being sidelined.

Recently, Abhishek Sharma delivered impressive performances in T20Is against England, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has enjoyed a successful streak in first-class cricket. If Gill aspires to participate in all formats, which he does, he must maintain his competitive edge.

"Abhishek is a childhood friend of mine, and Jaiswal is also a friend. I do not perceive any unhealthy rivalry among us. Naturally, when representing the country, one aims to excel in every match, without wishing for others to underperform. We celebrate each other's successes," he remarked to reporters on Tuesday.

Assuming the role of vice-captain, he addressed the need to avoid overanalyzing the team's setbacks in Australia. "Certainly, our performance in the Australia series did not meet our expectations; however, we did showcase some commendable cricket. It was unfortunate that we were without Bumrah on the final day. Had he been available, we might have secured the series, and this discussion would not be taking place. A single match or day does not define our capabilities; we have triumphed there twice before, won a World Cup, and reached the final of another World Cup, so it is essential to keep these achievements in perspective," he stated.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is positive. Everyone is driven; we recently won the last ICC tournament, and all players, support staff, and senior members are highly motivated. This presents another chance to compete in an ICC tournament, and we are all eager to seize it," he continued.

The entire squad engaged in an intensive training session

India's training session on Tuesday was well-attended, with the newly added Varun Chakravarthy also present. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli practised batting in pairs, while Rishabh Pant concentrated on power-hitting. Both he and KL Rahul alternated in wicket-keeping duties, Mohammed Shami had an extended bowling session in the nets, and Hardik Pandya participated in a light bowling workout.

Despite having several spin options available, Gill suggested that the team might opt for just one spinner and one spin all-rounder in the lineup for the match in Nagpur.

Read Also: Shami Will Be Crucial for India at Champions Trophy, Says Zaheer Khan

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