New Delhi: The demanding schedule of India’s multi-format captain, Shubman Gill, has caught the attention of cricketing legend Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir’s brief, yet pointed, remarks subtly confirm what many already suspect: Gill is currently one of the busiest figures in international cricket, juggling roles as Test, ODI, and T20I vice-captain.
India secured a decisive seven-wicket victory over the West Indies at the Ferozeshah Kotla, wrapping up the second Test within an hour on the final day by chasing down the remaining 58 runs from a target of 121.
This victory was significant for India, marking Gill’s inaugural Test series triumph with a commanding 2-0 sweep. It also helped the team overcome the previous year’s disappointing home loss to New Zealand, earned them 24 crucial World Test Championship points to close in on second-placed Sri Lanka, and reaffirmed Kuldeep Yadav’s effectiveness as a primary spin attack option.
Despite the victory, the series concluded with persistent questions regarding the prudence of entrusting Gill with cross-format captaincy amidst an unrelenting cricket schedule that seemingly disregards player and fan fatigue.
A day before the series began, Gill openly discussed the “mental and physical fatigue” stemming from the diverse demands of batting and strategizing across Test and ODI formats. However, the sweet taste of a Test series victory seemed to offer a temporary respite from these worries.
“It was a new experience for me,” Gill remarked on adapting between formats. “Returning to the fundamental principles of each format is what truly helps me perform.”
Nevertheless, the demanding schedule will undoubtedly test his resilience. India is set to travel to Australia for a high-stakes ODI series, featuring cricketing stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing under Gill’s captaincy. This will be followed by a T20I series against Australia and a comprehensive home series against South Africa, including two Test matches – with Gill expected to participate in all fixtures.
The 26-year-old Gill provided insight into his approach to leadership, stating, “I strive to make the most logical decision in any given situation. Sometimes, you need to be daring and rely on that ‘X-factor’ – understanding which player can deliver crucial runs or secure vital wickets.” He added, “I’m gradually adapting to it, managing all the players. I truly enjoy the responsibility; I thrive on being the one at the helm. I lead in my own style. Being part of critical decisions is something I genuinely appreciate, and I believe it brings out my best. That’s precisely what’s unfolding in my career.”
Beyond captaincy, Gill’s bat is also doing the talking, amassing an impressive tally of runs. As captain, he has already secured four wins in seven Tests, including three consecutive victories from The Oval in London to home matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi. Remarkably, after his first 13 Test innings as captain, Gill’s 946 runs place him second only to the legendary Don Bradman (1,125 runs). He also stands alongside Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar (943 runs) in achieving five centuries during this captaincy period.
With a significant portion of these runs scored in England, Gill has provided an early glimpse of his ability to lead by example. “You absolutely need to compartmentalize batting and captaincy when I’m at the crease,” Gill explained, making it sound effortless. “Batting is something I’ve been doing since I was three or four years old, so when I step out to bat, my focus is purely on making decisions as a batsman.”
The Team’s Positive Response to New Captaincy
It’s no surprise then that Gautam Gambhir’s straightforward advice to Gill was, “Just be yourself.”
Gambhir further emphasized, “Nobody appointed him Test or ODI captain out of favor; he has earned every bit of it through sheer hard work. He already conquered his most formidable captaincy challenge in England, leading the team through five away Tests in demanding conditions against a top-tier opponent.” He then added a crucial perspective: “While we often focus solely on the captain, the team’s response to his leadership is equally vital. He has performed exceptionally, and so has the entire squad.”
Gill Explains Follow-On Decision on a ‘Dead’ Pitch
The Kotla Test, however, wasn’t without its imperfections. Commentator Ian Bishop noted on air that India’s captain could have been more proactive, particularly on the fourth morning when Bumrah and Kuldeep’s initial spell appeared overly defensive.
The choice to enforce the follow-on, especially after bowling 81.5 overs in the West Indies’ first innings, raised some eyebrows, as did the complete omission of Nitish Kumar Reddy from the bowling attack. Gill clarified his reasoning: “We had a lead of about 300 runs, and the pitch was quite lifeless. We believed that even if we amassed 500 runs, taking six or seven wickets on Day Five would have been extremely challenging for us.”
Gambhir Advocates for Faster, Bouncier Pitches
Gautam Gambhir, a former Delhi cricketer, offered a more blunt critique of the pitch. “We definitely could have had a better playing surface here,” he stated. “While we achieved a result on Day Five, the edges still need to carry, and there must be something in it for the fast bowlers. I understand the importance of spinners, but with two quality pace bowlers in our squad, you want them to be actively involved in the game.”
His comments likely hint at the type of pitches India might prepare at Eden Gardens and Guwahati for the upcoming series against South Africa, just a month away.
Emphasizing Ranji Trophy Participation Before South Africa Series
Gambhir highlighted the importance of pre-series preparation: “The most beneficial aspect of the West Indies series was how our Test players prepared by competing in the India ‘A’ match against Australia ‘A’. That was incredibly crucial. Similarly, playing in the Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series will be equally vital.” He elaborated, “This group of players has excelled in their preparation. It’s challenging, but professionalism demands they utilize every available day to their fullest potential. We face rapid transitions from ODIs to T20s, and then back to Test cricket after just four days. Therefore, instead of merely attending the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Test specialists should actively participate in domestic matches.”
India’s Test captain, being the primary specialist, will naturally be exempt from this, focusing instead on recuperating and strategizing. Gill, of course, understands that perfection is an illusion; a case in point being his dismissal on Tuesday while attempting a decisive boundary to seal the game.
Following their tenth consecutive Test series victory over the West Indies on the notoriously slow Kotla pitch, Team India now prepares to jet off to Australia’s livelier, bouncier pitches for a white-ball challenge. Gill is fully aware that he’ll be expected to have his strategic plans meticulously prepared for this next demanding assignment.