Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has shared his assessment of Shubman Gill’s captaincy during the ongoing Test series against England, highlighting how toss outcomes have influenced match results. He advised Gill to follow ex-skipper Virat Kohli’s approach: “Win the toss and bat; put runs on the board.”
In the five-match series, Gill has lost all three tosses so far. India batted first in two of those matches and chased in one. Their only defeat came in the third Test at Lord’s where the hosts opted to bat first, leaving India to chase.
Kaif believes that the decision to bowl first — though not made by Gill — proved costly and highlights the value of setting a target upfront in Test cricket.
“So far, Shubman Gill has lost three tosses — two where we batted first and one where we chased. We lost the match where we bowled first. I don’t think choosing to field was the right decision.
“Going forward, win the toss and bat — like Virat Kohli used to. Put runs on the board, regardless of swing or forecast. That’s the mindset we need. Shubman is still young and learning — he has the potential to grow into a strong leader. These experiences will help him evolve,” Kaif said in an exclusive conversation with .