Dinesh Karthik has revealed a fascinating insight into the leadership mindset of Shubman Gill, drawing parallels between the young captain and Virat Kohli. According to Karthik, Gill echoed a sentiment similar to one previously expressed by Kohli regarding the impact of captaincy on their approach to Test cricket.

Speaking on a Sky Cricket podcast, Karthik recalled a conversation where Kohli highlighted that being Test captain was the "best thing to happen" in his life, influencing his batting positively. Gill, in a similar vein, conveyed that assuming captaincy had shifted his focus towards the team's needs rather than individual achievements. Karthik emphasized that this revelation indicates Gill's readiness to embrace the leadership role and prioritize the team's success.

Gill's captaincy journey began following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket. He was subsequently appointed as the Test captain ahead of the five-match series against England.

Gill's performance as captain has been remarkable. In the first Test at Headingley, he scored an unbeaten 127, becoming the fifth Indian captain to score a century on Test captaincy debut. He followed this up with another century in the second Test at Edgbaston, scoring 114*. This achievement places him among an elite group of Indian captains, including Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli, who have scored centuries in their first two matches as captain.

Karthik's insights highlight the potential of Shubman Gill to follow in the footsteps of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Gill's focus on team requirements over individual ambition, combined with his strong performances with the bat, suggests a promising future as India's Test captain.

Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025 after a 14-year career, left behind a remarkable legacy. He amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. As captain, he led India to 40 wins in 68 matches, making him India's most successful Test captain. Under his leadership, India achieved unprecedented success, including series victories in Australia and at home, and also won 11 consecutive home Test series.

Gill's captaincy is being closely watched as he steps into this new era for Indian Test cricket. While he has shown promise, some believe he may not yet fully realize the enormity of being India's Test captain. Karthik has advised Gill to prioritize his batting and focus on captaincy only while fielding, especially given his current overseas batting average. Despite these challenges, Gill's early captaincy stint suggests he is on the path to becoming another great Indian leader.