Shubman Gill’s Test captaincy may have started with a loss, but former India coach Ravi Shastri is confident in the young cricketer’s potential. In a conversation with Wisden, Shastri expressed his faith in Gill’s growth as a leader with more time and experience, despite India trailing 0-1 in the five-match series following a five-wicket defeat at Headingley.
With senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retitrement, Shubman Gill has stepped in to lead a transitioning Indian team. Despite the defeat in Leeds, Ravi Shastri maintained that Gill stands out for his rare mix of elegance and calmness.
“I’ll be disappointed if Gill doesn’t go places. Languid, lazy elegance, and he’s got a regal element of being regal out there when he’s batting. If he can learn with exposure and adapt to conditions, I think that’s the one name I can see,” said Shastri.
“He’s matured a lot. The way he handles the media, the way he talks at press conferences, at tosses, he’s matured a lot. Let him be there for three years. Don’t chop and change irrespective of what happens in the series. Stick with him for three years, and I think he will deliver for you.” Shastri added
Though Gill’s faced defeat in the first Test, he stayed composed at the crease. He kicked off his leadership role with a confident century in the first innings at Headingley, even though he couldn’t deliver in the second. Still, his batting showed that the pressure of leading hasn’t shaken his confidence.
Gill’s on-field decisions, however, raised questions. During most of the final session on Day 5, with England chasing 371, KL Rahul was often seen setting the field suggesting that Gill was relying on senior players for support in leading the team.
