Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has delivered a scathing critique of Shubman Gill's captaincy and on-field decisions during the ongoing fourth Test against England, particularly focusing on events from Day 3. Shastri's disapproval centered on Gill's delayed deployment of spinner Washington Sundar and what he perceived as tardy tactical adjustments.
Shastri, known for his forthright commentary, didn't mince words while analyzing Gill's choices. He questioned why Sundar, who had taken four wickets in the previous Test at Lord's, was brought into the attack as late as the 69th over. "He took four wickets in the last game. Then you bring that bloke after 67, 69 overs. I mean, what does it tell that player?" Shastri exclaimed on Sky Sports. He emphasized the importance of trusting spinners and giving them longer spells, especially on a pitch that offered assistance. Shastri felt that Sundar should have been introduced much earlier, "within the first 30, 35 overs," to capitalize on his wicket-taking ability and build pressure on the English batsmen.
The former India coach didn't stop there, also criticizing the implementation of the bouncer strategy. According to Shastri, this tactic was "24 hours late" and should have been employed earlier to potentially disrupt England's progress. He also questioned the decision to give Anshul Kamboj, who is new and playing his first Test match, the new ball instead of Mohammed Siraj. Shastri argued that this decision relieved the pressure on England's batting lineup.
Shastri's remarks reflect concerns about Gill's tactical acumen and his handling of the bowling attack. Sanjay Manjrekar echoed similar sentiments, calling the delayed introduction of Washington Sundar "a major red flag" regarding Gill's captaincy. Manjrekar highlighted that the pitch favored spin, making the decision to hold back Sundar even more perplexing.
It's worth noting that Gill has faced scrutiny for his on-field conduct during the series. He was involved in a heated exchange with England's Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett on Day 3 of the Lord's Test, which led to criticism from some quarters. Jonathan Trott even suggested that Gill had become a "villain" following the incident. However, others, like Ravi Shastri himself, defended Gill's actions, characterizing them as part of the "tamasha" and competitive spirit of Test cricket.
Despite the criticism, Shastri acknowledged that Gill is still young and learning as a captain. He drew a comparison with Virat Kohli, who was initially "extra, ultra-aggressive" when he took over the captaincy and needed to be calmed down at times. Shastri emphasized that Gill will become a better captain as he gains experience and learns from his mistakes. He also highlighted the importance of the support staff, suggesting that figures like Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel can play a crucial role in guiding Gill.
Shastri's sharp comments underscore the high expectations surrounding Shubman Gill, both as a batsman and as a captain. While Gill has shown promise, leading India to a 4-1 T20I series win against Zimbabwe and being appointed vice-captain for limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, his recent performances and tactical decisions have come under scrutiny. As the fourth Test progresses, Gill will be under pressure to prove his leadership capabilities and guide India to a comeback.
