Shubman Gill, the newly appointed captain of the Indian Test team, recently shared his insights on the leadership styles of his predecessors, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England. With both Kohli and Sharma having retired from Test cricket, Gill is stepping into a transitional phase, carrying the responsibility of guiding the team forward.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Gill reflected on the key learnings he absorbed from playing under Kohli and Sharma. He highlighted Kohli's proactive approach during Test matches, both in terms of field placements and strategic thinking. Gill noted that Kohli was always prepared with a backup plan and effectively communicated those plans to the bowlers, a quality that Gill admired and intends to incorporate into his own captaincy. "When I played under Virat Bhai, I think his proactiveness in the Test matches on the field or with the ideas or with his thinking was something that I liked and I picked up. If he thinks that is okay, this plan is not working, he will immediately have another plan, communicate it with the bowlers on what he wants from them," Gill stated.
Contrasting Kohli's style, Gill described Rohit Sharma as a tactically aggressive captain, despite his calm demeanor on the field. He emphasized Sharma's clear communication with players, both before, during, and after matches and series, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding expectations. Gill also touched upon Sharma's ability to create a team environment where players understand that even if he is being stern, it is for the benefit of the team. Gill noted, "It can seem that Rohit Bhai is not aggressive, but he can be very aggressive in terms of his tactics. Tactically, he is quite an aggressive captain. He is someone who is very clear with his communication prior to the matches, during the series and even after the series on what he wants from the players." He further added, "The kind of environment I think Rohit bhai keeps. Even if Rohit bhai is swearing at you, you will not take it to your heart. That's just his personality and that is a great trait to have. He's firm but even if he's hard on you, you know that it's not coming from his heart and more from the team's perspective."
Gill's observations provide a glimpse into the different leadership qualities that have shaped his understanding of captaincy. He seems to appreciate Kohli's adaptability and Sharma's tactical acumen and clear communication. As he embarks on his journey as the Test captain, Gill aims to blend these influences to create a conducive environment for the team.
The upcoming Test series against England, commencing on June 20th at Headingley, will be Gill's first major assignment as captain. With senior players like Kohli and Sharma no longer in the red-ball squad, Gill faces the challenge of leading a relatively young team. His ability to implement the lessons learned from his predecessors and forge his own leadership style will be crucial in determining India's success in the series and beyond. The series, which extends till August, will provide a good measure of Gill's leadership qualities.
Rohit Sharma had taken over the Test captaincy from Virat Kohli in 2021. Under his captaincy, India reached the final of the World Test Championship in the 2021–2023 cycle. In his overall captaincy career, Rohit Sharma led India in 142 matches across formats, winning 103 and losing 33. In Tests, he captained the team in 24 matches and won 12.
