Sunil Gavaskar has drawn parallels between Shubman Gill's captaincy and that of three iconic Indian captains who have previously led India to Test series victories in England. However, he notably excluded comparisons to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni, emphasizing a different set of qualities in Gill's leadership.
Gavaskar highlighted India's rare Test series triumphs in England, achieved under Ajit Wadekar in 1971, Kapil Dev in 1986, and Rahul Dravid in 2007. He pointed out that all three captains were known for their cool and composed demeanor. Gavaskar described Wadekar's style as "laconic," Kapil Dev's as "rip roaring yet controlled," and Dravid's as "intense and thoughtful".
Gavaskar's comparison suggests that Gill embodies a similar sense of calm and level-headedness, crucial attributes for leading a team, especially in challenging overseas conditions. This is in contrast to Kohli, known for his aggressive and passionate leadership, or Dhoni, often celebrated for his tactical acumen and on-field improvisation. While Rohit Sharma has been praised as a "people's captain," Gavaskar's comparison of Gill to Wadekar, Kapil Dev, and Dravid points to a different leadership style, one that prioritizes composure and strategic thinking.
The former Indian opener believes that Gill, with his batting and captaincy, exhibited qualities similar to those of Ajit Wadekar, Kapil Dev, and Rahul Dravid in the second Test of the ongoing England series. Captaining India for the first time in Tests in the ongoing series, Gill led the side to a memorable 336-run win in the second Test at Edgbaston. The 25-year-old also broke several batting records, including the highest Test score by an Indian in England and an Indian captain overall, with his 269 in the first innings. Gill's 161 in the second innings took his match tally to 430 runs - the second highest in Test history behind Graham Gooch.
Gavaskar's comments came after Gill was appointed as the new Test captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The decision to appoint Gill, despite his relatively young age and limited Test experience, has sparked debate among fans and experts. Some believe it is too early for the 25-year-old to take on such a significant responsibility, while others see it as a bold move to groom a future leader.
Gavaskar has also emphasized the importance of behavior for a captain, stating that a captain's conduct is more important than his performance. He advised Gill to "behave in a way that the other players in the team respect you". Gavaskar highlighted that when a player becomes captain, they should behave in a way that earns the respect of their teammates. He believes a good leader should know when to step in and when to give players space, understanding that each player has a different personality and responds differently.
Gill himself has acknowledged the honor and responsibility of being appointed captain. He aims to lead by example through discipline and hard work. Gill stated that "To be able to get this opportunity is a great honor... it's a big responsibility".
Gavaskar has also noted changes in Shubman Gill's captaincy in IPL 2025 as compared to the 2024 season. Gavaskar said that Gill has learned a lot from last season, especially with his batting, as he has let Sai Sudharsan express himself. Gavaskar feels that Gill has improved as a captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a tough start in 2024. Gavaskar pointed out how Shubman has cleverly played second fiddle when Sai Sudharsan has been going after the bowlers in IPL 2025.
Gavaskar observed that Gill controls his emotions on the field, and doesn't get annoyed when there is a misfield or a dropped catch, and comes in to support the fielder.
