Following India's recent Test match against England, former England cricketer Michael Atherton has expressed his support for the Indian Test captain, Shubman Gill. Gill has faced scrutiny after England's Harry Brook and Jamie Smith challenged the Indian team during the second Test at Edgbaston.

Atherton acknowledged the pressure Gill is under, stating, "I've got some sympathy, for sure". He further added, "Shubman Gill is not the first captain to be put under the pump by the way the England batters play". Atherton's remarks come after Gill's captaincy was questioned during the Edgbaston Test, where a significant partnership between Brook and Smith allowed England to build a substantial lead. Specifically, Gill's field placement strategy was described as "defensive" during a critical phase of England's innings.

Other cricket analysts have also weighed in on Gill's captaincy. Nasser Hussain noted that Gill seemed to be "finding his way" and lacked the "on-field aura" of previous captains like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Hussain also observed a "captaincy by committee" dynamic, with multiple players seemingly involved in decision-making. Murali Kartik shared a similar sentiment, suggesting that Gill lacked authority and that too many players were offering input. David Lloyd was critical of Gill's approach, describing it as "reactive rather than proactive".

However, some voices have defended Gill, especially given his relatively new appointment. Ravi Shastri and Mohammed Azharuddin have both suggested that Gill should be given time to develop as a captain before being judged too harshly. Azharuddin emphasized that it was too early to draw conclusions about Gill's captaincy. Alastair Cook also urged patience, drawing parallels to Ben Stokes' early days as England's captain.

Despite the criticism, Gill has also received praise for his individual performance. Virat Kohli lauded Gill as a "star boy" and praised his record-breaking performances. Gill's high scores in the recent matches have solidified his position as a leader within the team.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan described the decision to appoint Gill as captain as a "bold move". He acknowledged Gill's temperament in high-pressure situations but emphasized that he still has much to prove.

The debate surrounding Gill's captaincy highlights the challenges of leading a team, especially during a period of transition. While some question his tactics and on-field presence, others emphasize the need for patience and support as he gains experience.