IPL 2024: Shubman Gill's Captaincy for GT Supported by Matthew Hayden, Will Bring Improvement
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has backed Gujarat Titans' move to hand Shubman Gill the captaincy despite being unable to make it to the playoffs in IPL 2024. GT was knocked out of the playoff race on Monday after their final home game of the season at Narendra Modi. The stadium against KKR was washed out due to rain in Ahmedabad. Gujarat won the IPL title in his debut year and reached the final last year under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. However, after Hardik was traded to MI, GT handed over the captain's armband to Shubman Gill, becoming one of the youngest captains in the league, despite Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan being part of the franchise.
Matthew Hayden told Star Sports on Monday, "I think Shubman Gill has to do whatever it takes to improve himself as a leader (he should)". "Steve Waugh once told us as a group: 'Don't wait for me to be your leader. Be your own leader on the field and off the field. And you'll go back to your respective states, to your franchise. And then, eventually, when you're your national captain. As you come to me, you will come in and make my job easier.
"I'm a big believer in trying to bite off more than you can chew. He's got a strong base around him that can keep him somewhere close to the earth when the excitement comes. They've come thick and fast. They're already here. I Sure if he can find ways to learn - there are parts of his batting that he will improve on," he added. Shubman Gill, who scored 890 runs in 17 matches and won the Orange Cap last year, managed to score only 426 runs in 12 matches as captain. The 24-year-old has struggled to be as authentic with the bat as he has been over the years in the IPL. Gujarat also lacked the game they played under Hardik Pandya's captaincy in IPL 2022 and 2023.
Don't forget how young he is: Hayden
However, Hayden said Gill is a natural leader and the youngster will only improve with time.
"We all forget how young he is. As a kid of the next generation, he has to have leadership. That has to be part of his equation. I think he's a natural leader, whether he likes it or not. . He is a calm leader if he can pull things together, I am sure he will have a bright future,” he added. Shubman Gill has suffered yet another setback during the IPL 2024 season. The young opener was not selected in India's 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup starting June 1. However, GT will travel as one of the four reserves with the World Cup squad led by captain Rohit Sharma.