The young Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, thrashed Zimbabwe by 42 runs in the fifth and final T20I in Harare on Sunday (July 14) to clinch the series 4-1.
A host of India batters performed with aplomb during the Zimbabwe tour, prompting Gill to say that the next generation will be able to fill the void of recently retired star duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20Is.
Gill was among India's better performers during the series as he amassed 170 runs at an average of 42.50. He did an excellent job in the role as an opener and captain.
It was Shubman Gill’s first assignment as captain of the senior Indian men’s team, and the 24-year-old admitted that the enjoyed the experience.
"It is something that I definitely enjoy. I think it brings out the best in me when I am out there because I look to be involved in the game. It is something that really brings out the side of me which I enjoy being on the field,” Gill told reporters after the fifth T20I.
"There was pressure, I wouldn't say extra pressure but obviously even when you are playing just as a batter when you don't perform there is a certain kind of pressure that comes along with it.
"But I think that's the fun part of it. You kind of feel so many different emotions. Pressure is one of them. And when you get out of that, the satisfaction that you feel is immense," he added.
Gill said he learnt a lot from playing under Rohit in recent times, but also picked up leadership qualities from a number of other Indian players.
"You can take qualities from Rohit bhai or even Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai, Virat bhai, Hardik (Pandya) bhai, all of them. All of them have great qualities. I have played the most under Rohit bhai, so he is someone who I look up to and really enjoy playing under," he remarked.
Besides Shubman, the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal (141 runs) and the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad (133) and Abhishek Sharma (124) shined with the bat during the Zimbabwe tour.
It augurs well for India's future in the shortest format and Gill thinks competition for selection among the next crop of top-order batters will only benefit the team.
"It's a good thing that everyone's performing," Gill said. "It shows that everyone is hungry and nobody is ready to take it easy. For any country or board, that's always a good thing.
"Anyone who got the opportunity grabbed it with both hands. The openers to bowlers to allrounders to spinners, everyone made a mark and I think the selectors have now seen everything and it's up to them to name the squad for the next series (in Sri Lanka)."
(With ICC Inputs)
