Shubman Gill's captaincy has garnered significant attention, particularly after leading India in both ODIs and Tests. Replacing Rohit Sharma in both formats, Gill's leadership skills were recently put to the test during the Test series in England, where he led a team without key players like Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. Despite the challenges, Gill steered the team to a 2-2 series draw.
Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, has been vocal about his observations on Gill's captaincy. Ponting noted a distinct "bulldog" side to Gill, particularly during the England tour. He observed that Gill asserted his authority on the team quickly and led by example with the bat. Gill amassed over 750 runs during the series, responding effectively to England's challenges. Ponting highlighted instances where Gill demonstrated a fighting spirit, stepping up when the team needed him most.
Ponting specifically pointed out Gill's actions during the series, such as not leaving the field in Manchester, as examples of him making a strong impression and setting his mark on the team. He acknowledged that some of Gill's behavior was "a little out of character" but viewed it as a captain standing up for his team. Ponting drew comparisons between Gill's approach and that of Virat Kohli, noting that both captains displayed a similar outward aggression, especially when defending their team.
While acknowledging Gill's calm demeanor, Ponting emphasized the importance of a captain's ability to show a "real fighting" attitude when necessary. He said that this "bulldog" side emerged when the team needed it most, a quality he values in any player representing their country.
However, Gill's ODI captaincy debut faced a setback with a loss against Australia in Perth. Despite this, Ponting remains impressed with Gill's leadership qualities. There have been criticisms regarding team selection, particularly the choice to overlook Kuldeep Yadav in favor of Washington Sundar, prioritizing batting depth over bowling firepower.
Ponting had previously suggested that Gill should bat at number four in Test matches, especially with the added responsibility of captaincy. He reasoned that this might ease the burden on the young captain. He also believes that having experienced players around Gill in the batting order is crucial.
Despite the mixed start to his captaincy, many believe that Gill is being groomed as a long-term, all-format captain for India. His leadership in the challenging Test series against England, coupled with Ponting's observations, suggests that Gill possesses the qualities necessary to lead the Indian team effectively.
