Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance with the ball is highlighting a potential area of concern for the Indian cricket team: the form and captaincy of Shubman Gill. While Bumrah continues to be a devastating force, Ravi Shastri and Nasser Hussain have both pointed out the pressures and challenges that Gill is facing, particularly in the recent Test match against England.
Bumrah's recent performances speak volumes about his importance to the Indian team. In the ongoing Test series against England, Bumrah has consistently delivered, often single-handedly carrying the bowling attack. His ability to strike early, as seen with the dismissal of Zak Crawley in the first over of England's innings, and his knack for picking up crucial wickets at critical moments, demonstrate his value. However, the lack of support from the other bowlers has amplified Bumrah's workload, placing additional pressure on Gill to find solutions as captain.
Ravi Shastri, the former Indian head coach, had earlier advised Gill to be patient and composed as he embarks on his captaincy journey. Shastri acknowledged the tough job ahead for the young captain, especially leading India in England. He noted that Gill's temperament and calmness, which were evident during his IPL stint with the Gujarat Titans, would be crucial. However, Shastri also emphasized that it won't be easy, and Gill would need time to learn and adapt.
Nasser Hussain echoed similar sentiments, particularly highlighting the challenges of captaining in a place like Headingley. He pointed out the risk-reward nature of the ground, where captains must decide whether to keep catchers in place, potentially conceding boundaries. Hussain's observations came amidst England's aggressive "Bazball" approach, which put Gill under immense pressure to stem the flow of runs. Hussain also lauded Gill after his unbeaten century on Day 1 against England at Headingley. He stated that Gill's maturity has grown significantly since taking over the captaincy of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, noting how the batter's white-ball background has helped shape his attacking instincts without compromising his technique.
While Gill has shown promise, including a century in the first Test against England, there are concerns about his consistency and leadership under pressure. His head-to-head record against Bumrah in the IPL reveals that Bumrah has often had the upper hand. Gill has struggled to accelerate against Bumrah, with a relatively low strike rate and a high number of dot balls. This suggests that Bumrah's precision and control can stifle Gill's scoring ability.
The pressure on Gill is also compounded by the retirements of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, leaving a relatively inexperienced team. Shastri noted that Gill's leadership would be a learning curve, and he would have young players around him. Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of selectors, also highlighted the decision to invest in Gill's leadership, hoping it would be the right call for the future, acknowledging that Gill might have to learn on the job.
Despite the challenges, Gill has shown glimpses of his potential as a leader. He has achieved milestones on his Test captaincy debut, including his fastest Test half-century. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has lauded Gill's recent performances, highlighting his significant improvement, particularly during his innings of 147 against England.
In conclusion, while Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling continues to be a major asset for India, the spotlight is also on Shubman Gill's captaincy and form. The insights from Ravi Shastri and Nasser Hussain underscore the pressures and challenges Gill faces. While he has demonstrated potential, consistency and strategic acumen will be crucial for him to lead India successfully, especially in challenging conditions. The coming matches will be a test of Gill's ability to rise to the occasion and solidify his position as a leader.
