Kapil Dev Advocates Patience for Shubman Gill as India Faces England in Test Series

Kapil Dev's Insights on Young Captain Shubman Gill

New Delhi: Renowned cricketer Kapil Dev expressed on Saturday that the ongoing series against England will be a significant learning opportunity for the young Indian captain, Shubman Gill. He urged critics to allow Gill the time he needs to adapt to his new leadership role.

Gill, who took on the captaincy for the current five-Test series, has already led India to a remarkable victory in Birmingham. However, the team currently trails 1-2 in the series and faces a challenging fourth Test in Manchester.

"It's essential to give him time. This is his inaugural series, and he will make mistakes, but there will also be many positives as he progresses. Learning from mistakes is crucial," stated Kapil, who is also the president of PGTI, during the announcement of the PGTI schedule for the latter half of 2025.

"This team is relatively young and is gaining valuable experience. In the future, these players will achieve success. Every new team requires time to find its footing. Gill is a novice captain, and this series will serve as a vital learning phase for him."

Kapil also commented on Jasprit Bumrah, India's leading fast bowler, who has chosen to participate in only three of the five Tests to manage his workload due to his history of injuries.

"Everyone is unique. Times have evolved, and so have the players' bodies. It's challenging to make judgments. Bumrah is one of our premier fast bowlers, but his bowling action is quite unconventional, making it hard to maintain longevity," the 1983 World Cup-winning captain remarked.

"We initially doubted his ability to play for an extended period due to the physical strain he endures. Nevertheless, he continues to deliver for the Indian team, and that deserves recognition."

Regarding debutant pacer Anshul Kamboj, who recorded figures of 18-1-89-1 in the ongoing fourth Test, Kapil emphasized that it is unrealistic to expect extraordinary performances from a player in their first match.

"What can you realistically expect from a debutant? Should he take ten wickets? It's important to evaluate his potential. If he possesses the talent, he will recover and improve. It's natural to feel nervous during one's first game. While the outcome may not be perfect, I believe in his abilities, which is what truly matters," he explained.

When asked about England's captain Ben Stokes, Kapil stated that he considers Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to be superior to Stokes.

"I prefer not to make comparisons. Stokes is a commendable all-rounder, but I believe Jadeja is performing at a higher level," Kapil concluded.