HK Sixes 2025: " It's no surprise that he has gone on to achieve the things he has" - Joe Denly heaps praise on Shubman Gill's swift rise [Exclusive]

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Little over a month ago, Joe Denly was grinding it out in the County Championship with Kent in Canterbury in a Division Two clash against Lancashire. Fast forward to now, he is in a different corner of the world, leading the England outfit in the 2025 Hong Kong Sixes, which just goes on to show you that modern cricket never ceases to amaze.As a certified veteran of the game, Joe Denly has nearly experienced what is on offer. Whether it be the rigors of first-class cricket, featuring for your country across all formats, experiencing franchise cricket, or now even dipping a toe in unconventional formats, it has been quite a journey from cricket's purest form, to its strangest form.Joe Denly opened up about his upcoming challenge at the Hong Kong Sixes as he leads England, his experience while sharing the dressing room with Shubman Gill in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL), his thoughts on the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes, and a lot more.Excerpts from Joe Denly's exclusive interview with SportskeedaQ. For nearly everyone, Hong Kong Sixes represents memories of balls just flying out of the park, but is there more to it than just pure slogging? Especially for someone like you who has over 250 first-class games. Could this particular environment be any more different than what you are used to?Joe Denly: I think that the basics of trying to hit sixes does not really change much, and I guess it is trying to stake your pose at the moment, not looking too far ahead, and if you do that, hopefully, that is a good recipe for doing well.Q. You obviously have leadership experience across formats when it comes to conventional cricket. However, what are the different things that you need to keep in mind while leading in such an unorthodox form of cricket? Will you be channelling Bazball for the Hong Kong Sixes?Joe Denly: It is about trying to have fun, and that is kind of the message I will be relaying to the team. It's that you are probably going to get hit for a few sixes, and that is okay, you are coming up against good, quality players on quite a small ground, and as a bowler, you have to really back yourself and try and stay in the moment. As a batter, it is trying not to look too far ahead, and if you do the basics pretty well, then you should be okay. Ultimately, it is about trying to keep the lads pretty relaxed, and trying to entertain the crowd, which hopefully will be well supported.Q. You have several youngsters on your side, like Dan Mousley and James Coles, who are future prospects for England. How much do you think a good campaign at the Hong Kong Sixes will help them in their selection and international career, or is it completely irrelevant?Joe Denly: The team that has been selected is, you know, the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) have certainly played a part to play in that. So, these are guys that are very highly thought of in England, kind of on the cusp of white-ball selection, as you said. Probably unlucky not to be involved with the England Lions this winter, so I am sure that the selectors would be keeping an eye on this competition, and seeing how those guys go, and hopefully they can put in some really strong performances. You never know, you might get a late call-up to some sort of squad later this winter.Q. On your IPL debut, you opened with none other than Shubman Gill. Were there any early signs that he would reach where he is now at the moment? What were your observations about this prodigal player who was just looking to make his mark at the time?Joe Denly: Shubman was certainly a young player, you could say that had an abundance of talent. Very calm character, so it is no surprise that he has gone on to achieve the things he has. I know that he is very highly thought of in India, and around the world. He continues to impress, and there is no surprise there. Unfortunately, I did open the batting with him, but I only lasted one ball sadly, so I did not get a chance to put on a partnership with Shubman. But it is great to see what he is achieving now, and he is going to be a superstar for many years.Q. Is there anything in particular that you fondly recall from that IPL season, because you shared the dressing room with some interesting players like Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna, who are all part of the Indian squad now?Joe Denly: It was an incredible couple of months in India, just to experience the IPL, experience the whole atmosphere, and the excitement around everywhere you travelled. Like you said, I shared the dressing room with some Indian stars that are still playing now. Very fond memories, always enjoy keeping track of their progress, and it is great to see them perform on the world stage.Q. As one of the few active players who has played the game for over 2 decades, what are your thoughts on how the game has changed, and where it is headed? How much has this rapid change affected your career?Joe Denly: I think you see a game now, where the young guys now coming into the game, are completely fearless. I think when I started, it was all about trying to score hundreds, bat for long periods of time, whereas now, it is kind of flipped in terms of, you still obviously look to score runs, but you are looking to entertain. There is absolutely no fear of failure. I think the amount of shots, that people play now, all around the ground, 360 degrees. I grew up trying to play straight down the ground and have a high elbow, making sure that my balance stood, but now guys are, even in Test cricket, flicking it over fine leg, and reverse scooping, just really taking the game on, and trying to entertain. It makes for a real great watch, great brand of cricket, and I think it is not just England getting labelled with Bazball, but I think teams have been playing like it for a long time. It is great to see, great to watch. The game of cricket is just getting better and better.Q. We recently saw James Anderson extend his contract with Lancashire. Do you plan to extend your career as long as he has?Joe Denly: Not sure, I turn 40 next year, so I mean as long as I'm still enjoying it, and still have an impact on the field, performing, and trying to win games for Kent, then who knows? As long as I stay fit as well. I mean, red ball cricket, probably not so much over the next few years, probably more so T20 cricket, and maybe a little bit of coaching in there as well, so we will see. I am not sure I will be playing in my mid-40s like Jimmy Anderson, but you never know.Q. You have been in the thick of action when it comes to the Ashes. Do you believe that this is England's best shot in a long time. For several of the players this is their first time on Australian soil, what advice would you have for them?Joe Denly: We are certainly going out there with a very good squad of players, and I know people say it is our best chance in a long while, I mean I remember playing in the 2019 Ashes series, and I didn't for once, think that we could not win that series, so I am sure that the England team will go out with a lot of confidence. The teams have changed a lot since the last Ashes series, there are quite a few changes in there, but yeah, England have got a great chance. This is an exciting team, led brilliantly by Ben Stokes, and Brendon McCullum, so there has been quite a lot of chat about it as you would expect, Australians coming out and slating the way England play, the Bazball and everything, so it is going to be a really intriguing series to watch and I can't wait for it to get started.