Shubman Gill's debut as Test captain for India has been met with a mixed bag of reactions, following India's defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley. While Gill showcased his batting prowess with a century in the first innings, his leadership on the field has come under scrutiny. Critics have pointed out his tactical decisions, field placements, and apparent lack of assertiveness in crucial moments of the game.

Several former captains and analysts have weighed in on Gill's performance. Nasser Hussain, for instance, noted that Gill seemed to lack the "aura" of previous Indian captains like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Hussain observed that Gill appeared to be more reactive than proactive and that there seemed to be a "captaincy by committee" on the field, with senior players potentially influencing decisions. He noted that it felt like Gill was still finding his way as a leader. Alastair Cook echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that several Indian players were making decisions on the field instead of Gill. Cook imagined that Gill would have felt "shell-shocked".

Ravi Shastri, however, offered a more supportive perspective, urging the team management to persist with Gill as captain for at least three years. Shastri emphasized Gill's maturity and suggested that he should be given time to grow into the role. He acknowledged that factors such as dropped catches and batting collapses were beyond Gill's control. Shastri said that Gill has matured a lot and has all the ingredients to be one of the greats and needs time to adapt to the conditions.

Some experts also highlighted specific tactical errors during the match. One such instance was the management of Mohammad Siraj's bowling spells, with Siraj kept away from the attack for an extended period during England's second innings. Gill's inability to bring back Jasprit Bumrah into the attack during crucial moments was also questioned. These decisions have led to discussions about Gill's resource management and his ability to inspire players during high-pressure situations.

Despite the criticism, many acknowledge that Gill's captaincy journey is still in its early stages. Gill himself recognized the need to learn and improve, stating that the team failed to execute plans in key moments. The nuances of Test captaincy require time and experience to master, and the Headingley Test is viewed as a valuable learning opportunity for Gill.

Gill's supporters also point to his impressive century in the first innings as a testament to his potential. Scoring a century on his captaincy debut places him in an elite list of Indian cricketers. His mentor, Yuvraj Singh, praised Gill for accepting responsibility and letting his bat do the talking. Dinesh Karthik also lauded Gill for his statement with the bat, and said he made the most of the batting conditions. Wasim Jaffer noted that the century was important for Gill's career and a boost as he tries to take command of the dressing room. Aakash Chopra compared Gill's innings to Sourav Ganguly's at The Gabba in 2003-04.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Test match at Edgbaston presents an opportunity for Gill to apply the lessons learned from Headingley. With potential changes to the team's composition, Gill will need to demonstrate improved tactical acumen and leadership skills. While the initial verdict on Gill's captaincy may be "shell-shocked", his journey as a leader is far from over, and his response to these early challenges will be crucial in shaping his future as a captain.