Shubman Gill's captaincy is facing intense scrutiny after India's recent defeat against England in the first Test match at Headingley. The loss, where England successfully chased a target of 371, has led to questions about Gill's leadership and tactical decisions. This marks a difficult start to Gill's tenure as Test captain, despite India recording five individual centuries in the match.

Critics, including former captains and cricket analysts, have expressed concerns over Gill's on-field leadership. Some suggest that his captaincy lacked the "aura" of his predecessors, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Former England captain Nasser Hussain observed that Gill seemed to be "finding his way" and didn't quite have the same commanding presence as Kohli or Sharma. Hussain also noted a sense of "captaincy by committee," with multiple senior players seemingly involved in decision-making. He felt Gill was more "reactive as opposed to proactive".

Comparisons to Virat Kohli's aggressive and proactive captaincy style have been prevalent. Kohli's famous "I want them to feel hell" approach is often cited as an example of his impactful leadership. Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Gill's defensive mindset, pointing out that Kohli would have been more focused on taking wickets. Manjrekar suggested that Gill's overly cautious field placements indicated an anticipation of the English approach rather than a proactive strategy to dismiss them.

However, some defend Gill, emphasizing that he is new to the role and deserves time to develop. Ravi Shastri and Mohammed Azharuddin have urged critics to give Gill a fair chance and provide support. Azharuddin stressed that it is too early to judge Gill's captaincy after just one match. They argue that it is unfair to expect him to immediately replicate the leadership styles of Kohli or Sharma, especially considering the team is in a transition phase.

The transition phase in Indian Test cricket, following the stepping down of Kohli and Sharma, is a crucial factor to consider. Gill's appointment as captain signals a new era, and it's natural for there to be adjustments and learning experiences. He needs time to find his own leadership style and build a rapport with the team. It's also important to remember that Gill doesn't have the same experience as Kohli or Sharma, who had years to establish themselves as leaders.

Despite the criticism, it's essential to acknowledge that Gill inherited a challenging situation. The team is undergoing significant changes, and he is tasked with leading a relatively inexperienced side. Moreover, the pressure of replacing established leaders like Kohli and Sharma is immense. Gill's captaincy should be evaluated in the context of these challenges and the time it takes to build a cohesive and successful team. It is also important to consider that senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were, apparently, out of sync with the captain's thinking, opening doors to suspicions of disunity within the dressing room.