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

Buttler's Insights on Gill's Leadership

Former England white-ball captain Jos Buttler has expressed his belief that Shubman Gill's approach to captaincy will combine the intense style 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's Experience with Gill

Buttler had the opportunity to play under Gill's leadership during the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Gujarat Titans. 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.

Expectations from Gill's Captaincy

Having witnessed Gill's capabilities firsthand, Buttler shared his expectations for India's youngest Test captain, which seem quite optimistic. He remarked, "Gill is an impressive player and a remarkable young man. He maintains a calm demeanor when speaking, yet on the field, he exhibits a fighting spirit and passion. I believe he will embody a mix of Kohli's intensity and Rohit's composure."

Buttler elaborated on the contrasting styles of Kohli and Rohit, noting Kohli's aggressive nature that transformed the Indian team and Rohit's more laid-back yet competitive attitude. He believes Gill has learned from both leaders but will ultimately forge his own path.

Advice for Gill

Buttler, who has spent considerable time in India, understands the immense pressure that comes with being a top player in the country. He advised Gill to focus on his batting and not let the responsibilities of captaincy interfere with his performance, a challenge he faced during his own tenure as England's white-ball captain.

"Gill mentioned the importance of separating his roles as a batter and a captain. He aims to concentrate solely on batting when at the crease while developing his captaincy skills separately. Leading the Indian cricket team is a significant responsibility, and he will need a strong support system," Buttler added.

The Challenge Ahead for Gill

Gill faces a daunting task as he steps into the role of captain, especially following the departures of experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. With the team now relying on younger talent, the management has entrusted Gill to lead this new chapter.

In his inaugural series, Gill will need to inspire his teammates during the five-Test series in England, starting on June 20 at Headingley. Speculation surrounds his batting position, with suggestions that he may take on the number four spot, a role previously held by legends like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.

India's Squad for the England Series

The squad for the upcoming series includes: 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.