Jos Buttler Predicts Shubman Gill's Unique Captaincy Style for India

Buttler's Insights on Gill's Leadership

New Delhi [India], June 17: Jos Buttler, the former captain of England's white-ball team, has shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill's upcoming captaincy, suggesting it will combine the fierce intensity of Virat Kohli with the more relaxed demeanor of Rohit Sharma. Despite this blend, Buttler is confident that Gill will establish his own identity as the newly appointed Test captain of India.

Buttler had the opportunity to play under Gill's leadership while at the Gujarat Titans during the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both players contributed significantly, each scoring over 500 runs and forming a strong core of the team's batting lineup that led them to the playoffs.

Having witnessed Gill's capabilities firsthand, Buttler expressed optimism about the young captain's potential. He described Gill as an impressive player who maintains a calm and thoughtful demeanor, yet possesses a competitive spirit on the field. 'He has a bit of fight in him; he’s passionate,' Buttler remarked on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.

Buttler elaborated on the contrasting styles of Kohli and Rohit, noting Kohli's aggressive approach that transformed the Indian team and Rohit's more composed nature. He believes Gill will find a balance between these two styles, having learned from both leaders while remaining true to himself.

With extensive experience in India, Buttler understands the immense pressure that comes with being a top player in the country. He advised Gill to focus on his batting and manage the responsibilities of captaincy effectively, a challenge he faced during his own tenure as England's white-ball captain.

Buttler emphasized the importance of separating the roles of batsman and captain, suggesting that Gill should concentrate on his batting while developing his leadership skills. He acknowledged the extraordinary level of fame and scrutiny that Indian cricketers endure, stating that the Indian Test captain is often regarded as one of the most influential figures in the country.

Gill faces a significant challenge ahead, especially after the recent retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. With the team looking to usher in a new era, Gill's first assignment will be a five-match Test series in England, starting June 20 at Headingley.

As discussions swirl around India's batting lineup, it is rumored that Gill may take on the crucial number four position, a role previously held by legends like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.

Buttler remarked on the weight of this responsibility, likening Gill to a prince stepping into the shoes of kings, and acknowledged the pressure that comes with such a prestigious role.

India's Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.