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Monty Panesar Critiques Shubman Gill's Captaincy Readiness

In a recent discussion, former England cricketer Monty Panesar shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill's suitability for captaincy in international cricket. He praised Gill's talent but criticized his performance during matches, suggesting that he lacks the intensity seen in players like Virat Kohli. Panesar also commented on Gautam Gambhir's coaching role, indicating that while Gambhir excels in white-ball formats, he could benefit from guidance in red-ball cricket. The Indian Test team, under Gambhir's leadership, has faced significant challenges, raising questions about their future performance.
By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 13:26 IST

Monty Panesar's Insights on Shubman Gill

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has expressed his views on Indian Test captain Shubman Gill, labeling him as a self-satisfied player who may not be ready to lead in all formats of international cricket. Speaking to a news outlet, Panesar acknowledged Gill's talent but criticized his tendency to play lackluster shots during matches. He contrasted Gill's approach with that of Virat Kohli, whose intensity and aggression are evident across formats, something Gill seems to lack.

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Panesar remarked that while Gill possesses significant talent, his sluggish shot selection during games is a concern. He emphasized that the pressure of captaincy across all formats might be too much for Gill, especially as the Indian team struggles under Gautam Gambhir's leadership, having faced clean sweeps against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-0).


Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Role

When asked about Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach, Panesar noted that Gambhir excels as a coach in white-ball cricket due to his success in that format. He suggested that Gambhir could also take on a coaching role in red-ball cricket, specifically in the Ranji Trophy, and should consult with experienced coaches on how to build a competitive team in that format.

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Panesar further stated, "Gautam Gambhir is a good coach for white-ball cricket because of his achievements. He could potentially coach in the Ranji Trophy and should engage with coaches who have experience in red-ball cricket to understand team formation better. Currently, the Indian Test team is struggling, and that is the reality. It takes time to rebuild after losing three key players, making it challenging to prepare the remaining squad."