Introduction to Gill’s Captaincy
Shubman Gill experienced his first stint as captain for the Indian cricket team during the recent tour of Zimbabwe. Leading a young T20I squad, Gill guided the team to a 4-1 series victory and emerged as the top run-scorer of the tour. During this tour, five players made their T20I debuts, showcasing India’s depth in talent.
IPL 2024 and Gill’s Leadership
Gill also captained the Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2024 season. Despite his efforts, the former champions finished eighth in the 10-team competition. Gill, who plays in all three formats for India, is seen by many as a future captain. However, his leadership skills have come under scrutiny from some quarters.
Amit Mishra’s Criticism
Amit Mishra, a former Indian leg-spinner, has openly criticized Gill’s captaincy. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube Podcast, he stated, “I will not make Shubman Gill captain. I saw him in the IPL and he does not know how to do captaincy. He has no idea. He has also not captained ever before. Why was he made the captain? Well, ask the selectors – kyunki India mein hai to captain banado bas? Yeh nahi hona chahiye (He shouldn’t have been made the captain).”
Gill’s Performance as a Batter
Mishra acknowledged Gill’s prowess as a batter, highlighting his success in the IPL where he was the highest run-getter in the last season. “Yes, in IPL, he (Gill) has performed well in the last two years and has done decently well in T20I for India, so he merits a place as batter,” Mishra said.
Selectors’ Decision and Ruturaj Gaikwad
When questioned about the selectors’ decision to appoint Gill as captain, Mishra speculated that the team management wanted to give Gill leadership experience. He mentioned the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad due to his commitment to the Asian Games, suggesting this might have influenced the decision. “If not Ruturaj Gaikwad (Asian Games) then who? So that is why Gill may have been picked as the skipper.”
Comparing Gaikwad and Gill
Mishra expressed his preference for Ruturaj Gaikwad over Gill, particularly praising Gaikwad’s abilities as a batter. “For me, Ruturaj Gaikwad is a better batter than Shubman Gill. If someone is performing well, you need to give them a chance. I am not a Shubman Gill hater or anything like that, I also like him a lot, but I think Ruturaj is a better player because he has scored runs in tough scenarios,” Mishra explained.
Gaikwad’s Potential
Mishra also emphasized Gaikwad’s potential and versatility as a cricketer. He believed Gaikwad should have been included as a backup player for the T20 World Cup. “For me, he is a complete player. He can perform in T20Is, ODIs, and Test cricket – his technique is such, his attitude is such, I see calmness in him as well,” he added.
Conclusion
The debate over Shubman Gill’s suitability as captain continues, with opinions divided. While Gill’s talent as a batter is undisputed, his leadership skills remain under scrutiny. As India looks to the future, the selectors’ decisions will be closely watched, especially regarding emerging talents like Ruturaj Gaikwad.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)