India, Oct. 12 -- India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up on his very first conversation with Shubman Gill after the youngster was named as the new India Test captain in May earlier this year, shortly after Rohit Sharma announced his sudden retirement from the format. The unfiltered advice, which came right before the all-important tour to England in the summer, was meant to prepare Gill for the immense responsibility and challenges that come with leading the Indian team.

Speaking to the broadcasters after the end of Day 2 proceedings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Gambhir said that he had told Gill that stepping into the captaincy role at that point in time in Indian cricket was like being thrown into a deep sea, where only...