Shubman Gill has become the captain of India’s Test team, replacing Rohit Sharma in a reshuffled team after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit.
Although the Indian team lost the first Test against England, former Indian cricket team team chief Ravi Shastri is impressed with Gill and feels he must get an opportunity to deliver.
It’s too early to comment on Gill as a captain, Shastri said, and he must be given three years of captaincy without being evaluated based on outcomes. “Let him be there for three years. Don’t chop and change regardless of what transpires in the series. Stay with him for three years, and I am sure he will deliver for you,” Shastri stated.
Shastri also lauded Gill’s maturity, referencing his assertive media interactions and press conferences. “He’s grown up a lot. The manner in which he goes about the media, the manner in which he speaks at tosses-he’s grown up a lot.” Shastri further opined that Gill can achieve great things in cricket due to his beautiful batting skills and his ability to play according to conditions.
At the same time, India’s right-arm seamer Prasidh Krishna opined on Gill’s captaincy, explaining that the young captain put a good vibe in the dressing room. Krishna lauded Gill’s tactically astute moves, like rotating bowlers and introducing the right spell, and pointed out that Gill had been properly communicating with the team.
Mohammed Azharuddin also opined regarding the captaincy of Gill, that it’s premature to discuss his leadership qualities after only a single game. “This is Shubman Gill’s first match as a captain, you just can’t discuss captaincy. It’s too early to discuss captaincy, We must give him a level chance and he has just started. you should provide him lots of time and patience.” Gill started strong in his captaincy stint, scoring a century on his maiden Test captaincy outing, becoming part of a select group of Indians which included Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, and Vijay Hazare.”.