Ravi Shastri Advocates for Support of Shubman Gill as Test Captain
Support for Shubman Gill's Captaincy
Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of India, has urged fans and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to rally behind the newly appointed Test captain, Shubman Gill. Following India's defeat in the first Test against England, Shastri emphasized the need for the team management to grant Gill a minimum of three years to showcase his capabilities.
Gill, aged 25, kicked off his captaincy with an impressive century, making him the fifth Indian to achieve this feat on his Test debut. However, his performance was overshadowed by England's remarkable fourth-innings chase of 371 runs, resulting in a five-wicket loss at Lord's.
In an interview with Wisden, Shastri highlighted the significance of stable leadership. He stated,
“He’s matured a lot. The way he handles the media, the way he talks at press conferences, at tosses—he’s matured a lot. Let him be there for three years. Don’t chop and change irrespective of what happens in the series. Stick with him for three years, and I think he will deliver for you.”
Criticism and Potential for Growth
Despite his strong individual performance, Gill has faced criticism regarding his captaincy decisions, particularly concerning field placements and bowling changes during crucial moments. Nevertheless, Shastri firmly believes in Gill's leadership abilities and technical skills. He remarked,
“I’ll be disappointed if Gill doesn’t go places. Languid, lazy elegance, and he’s got a regal element of being regal out there when he’s batting. If he can learn with exposure and adapt to conditions, I think that’s the one name I can see.”
India is set to play the second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting July 2. This venue has been challenging for India, as they have never won a Test match there, with seven losses in eight attempts. Gill and his team will face not only England but also the pressure of historical performance.
With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, all eyes will be on how Gill manages the challenges ahead, both tactical and statistical. For Shastri, the message is clear: support the young captain and allow him the time to grow.