Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has launched a strong defense of Shubman Gill, the young captain, against recent criticism. Speaking to Star Sports during the second Test between India and the West Indies in New Delhi, Gambhir addressed what he believes to be unfair assessments of Gill's captaincy and performance.
Gill, who was appointed Test captain in May 2025, faced a barrage of criticism, particularly after India's tour of England. Despite the pressure, Gill led the team to a 2-2 draw in the intensely fought five-Test series. Gambhir emphasized that Gill silenced his critics through composure and performance.
"A lot of unfair things have been said," Gambhir stated, expressing his unwavering support for the 25-year-old captain. He highlighted the importance of backing young talent, especially when they are entrusted with significant responsibilities.
Gambhir recalled his initial conversation with Gill upon his appointment as Test captain. "Picking a 25-year-old to captain a Test side, I told him one thing very clearly: 'We have thrown you in a deep sea. From here, there are only two paths — you may drown or you'll become a world-class swimmer'," Gambhir shared. He noted that Gill successfully navigated this challenging situation, demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities.
Furthermore, Gambhir downplayed the significance of Gill's individual statistics, such as the 750 runs he scored in England. Instead, he lauded Gill's handling of the team and the pressures of captaincy during his first Test series in charge. Gambhir felt that Gill doesn't take the burden of captaincy while batting and said that when he goes to bat, he bats as a batsman, not as a captain.
Gambhir's defense comes in the wake of some criticism aimed at Gill's tactical decisions during the Test series. In particular, Gill was questioned for delaying the use of spinner Washington Sundar in a match, prompting debate among cricket analysts. Some, like former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, suggested that Gambhir should have intervened. However, Gambhir took responsibility, shielding his young captain from undue criticism.
"I do remember. I remember the entire conversation,” Gambhir said. “For me, the 750 runs in England don't matter as much as the way a 25-year-old, in his first Test series as captain, handled himself, the team, and the pressure".
Gill has continued his strong performance, recently scoring his fifth century as captain during the second Test in New Delhi. He is now also the One-Day International (ODI) captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, and will begin his ODI captaincy in a three-match series in Australia this October. This decision underscores the faith the team management has in Gill's leadership abilities as they prepare him to potentially lead the team at the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
Gambhir's proactive defense of Gill highlights the coach's commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a supportive team environment. While acknowledging the importance of constructive criticism, Gambhir is adamant about shielding his players from unfair or excessive scrutiny, particularly during their formative stages. His remarks serve as a reminder that patience and encouragement are vital in developing the next generation of cricket leaders.
