Following India's narrow defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, Shubman Gill's captaincy has come under intense scrutiny. The loss, where England successfully chased down a target of 371, exposed tactical shortcomings, leading to questions about Gill's leadership. Amidst the criticism, former England captain Alastair Cook has stepped forward to defend the young Indian skipper, drawing parallels with Ben Stokes' initial days as England's captain.
Cook emphasized that new leaders require time to adjust and for their teams to adapt to their style. He recalled how it took a while for the England players to get used to Stokes' aggressive approach when he took over. Cook suggested that Gill, too, needs similar patience and understanding as he finds his footing in this new role. Speaking on the 'Stick to Cricket' show, Cook stated that it's too early to criticize Shubman Gill and that the team will take time to get used to his captaincy.
Despite the defeat, Gill showcased his batting prowess by scoring a brilliant 147 in the first innings, becoming the fifth Indian skipper to score a century on captaincy debut. However, his individual brilliance was overshadowed by batting collapses, poor fielding, and ineffective bowling, which contributed to India's loss. India, in fact, made history by becoming the first team to lose a Test match after recording five centuries in the game.
While Cook's support provides a counter-narrative to the criticism, others have voiced concerns about Gill's tactical acumen. David Lloyd, also on the 'Stick to Cricket' show, pointed out that Gill seemed more "reactive than proactive" in his decision-making, despite having experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja and Karun Nair in the team. Murali Kartik echoed these concerns, further highlighting the pressure on the young captain.
It's important to note that Ben Stokes himself had acknowledged the pressure that comes with captaining the Indian team. Before the series, Stokes had called Shubman Gill a really good player with a lot of experience and wished him all the best. He recognized the exciting time for Indian cricket with the new leadership but also didn't want to say too much as Gill would be his opponent.
Adding another layer to the discussion, some critics have questioned Gill's overall performance, particularly in overseas conditions. Prior to this Test series, Shubman Gill had faced criticism for inconsistent performance, with some labeling him as "overrated". During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gill had a poor series, scoring just 93 runs in five innings. Former cricketers like Michael Vaughan have expressed frustration over Gill's inability to convert good starts into significant scores. Kris Srikkanth has gone as far as to say that Gill is "highly overrated" and that India should consider other players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan.
Despite the mixed opinions and the pressure mounting on Shubman Gill, Alastair Cook's defense serves as a reminder that leadership is a journey that requires time, patience, and support. Gill's strong batting performance in the first innings demonstrates his potential, and it remains to be seen how he will evolve as a captain as the series progresses. India now faces a must-win situation in the second Test at Edgbaston, a ground where they have historically struggled. The young captain has a major task ahead to regroup his men and level the series.
