“Keep myself away from external factors” – Shubman Gill’s simple yet powerful mantra for handling pressure

During a warm‑hearted gathering at the Indian High Commission in London, the 25‑year‑old captain opened up about what keeps him level‑headed when the stakes rise. “The way I deal with pressure is by keeping focused on the things that are in my control and keeping myself away from external factors,” Gill said, smiling as he fielded questions from a crowd of expatriates and cricket lovers.

It’s a mantra that feels almost too simple for a world‑class batsman, yet it rings true in the noisy arena of international sport. Gill, who will skipper India in the third and deciding one‑day international against England on Sunday, believes that by tuning out the chatter – be it media speculation, social‑media buzz or even the occasional heckle from the stands – he can give his head a clear, steady rhythm.

His teammates seemed to nod in agreement. Shreyas Iyer, India’s T20I captain who’s been on the chore of recovering from a nagging injury, talked about the power of a phone call. “I just wanted to get out of the hospital. The calls from my team members gave me a lot of motivation to head back to training and come back stronger,” he said, his voice tinged with gratitude.

On the coaching side, Gautam Gambhir, who now leads the side from the sidelines, described the United Kingdom as “a special place” for Indian cricket, recalling the historic ties that stretch back decades. “Indian cricket does not just belong to the people sitting in the dressing room. It belongs to every honest Indian cricket fan, who supports us selflessly and unconditionally,” he added, his words echoing the sentiment that the game is as much about the crowd as it is about the players.

The ceremony also gave India’s High Commissioner to the UK, P. Kumaran, a platform to highlight the broader context of the tour. He spoke about the freshly‑rolled‑out India‑UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), noting that “we are hopeful it opens up many possibilities for business services as well as sports‑related activities.” In his view, cricket could become a subtle bridge for deeper cultural and commercial exchange.

Even off the field, the team’s management is sending clear signals. Former cricketer‑turned‑analyst Rajiv Shukla, who was present at the reception, warned players to stay away from social media before matches. “In India, the problem is that 99 percent of the people are cricket experts… so just try to avoid social media. There’s no dearth of talent in Team India; they are full of talent,” he said, half‑joking, half‑serious.

All these voices – a captain who narrows his focus, a teammate who draws strength from camaraderie, a coach who cherishes history, a diplomat who sees sport as diplomacy, and a veteran who preaches digital detox – weave together a picture of a side that is as mentally prepared as it is technically gifted. As the final ODI looms, it won’t just be about runs or wickets; it will be about who can keep the noise at bay and let their own game speak.