Shubman Gill, the newly appointed captain of the Indian Test team, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, have seemingly brought back a tradition that was absent during Rohit Sharma's captaincy in Australia. This involves fostering team bonding through activities like team dinners, a practice that aims to strengthen the camaraderie within the squad, especially with the inclusion of several new faces.

Ahead of the second Test against England, Gill hosted a team dinner with the entire squad. The purpose of this event was to improve team spirit and create a more cohesive environment, particularly considering the influx of new players. Sources indicate that no such team-building activities occurred during the recent tour of Australia under Rohit Sharma's leadership.

Gill's appointment as captain came after Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket. At 25, Gill is now the 37th Test captain of India. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has advocated for Gill's long-term tenure as captain, suggesting he should remain in the role for three years regardless of immediate results. Shastri believes Gill has matured significantly and possesses the qualities to become a great leader.

Gautam Gambhir's presence as head coach adds another layer to this new chapter in Indian cricket. With both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma no longer in the Test team, the focus is on Gill and Gambhir to guide the team forward. While Gill may be seen as Kohli's successor, he is also stepping into the shoes of Rohit Sharma, who has a commendable record as captain across formats.

Gill has expressed that he feels no pressure from Gambhir or chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who want him to freely express himself as a leader. Gill aims to build a secure and happy team culture, acknowledging the challenges posed by competition and frequent squad changes.

Gill has also spoken about the differences between Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra, noting that Gambhir is very determined, committed, and clear in his communication. He wants players to have a specific mindset and attitude. Gill's first assignment as captain is the series against England. Despite a loss in the first Test, where Gill scored a century, Gambhir has urged patience and expressed confidence in Gill's leadership.

Shubman Gill shared his views on the captaincy styles of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who both retired from Test cricket before the series against England. Gill noted that Kohli was always very aggressive and keen to lead from the front with passion, while Rohit was also aggressive but conveyed it differently. Rohit was tactically astute and communicated clearly with the players.

While it remains to be seen whether this team dinner will translate to on-field success, it signals a shift in approach and a renewed focus on team unity under the new leadership of Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir.