Shubman Gill’s debut series as India’s Test captain has turned into a steep learning curve. After starting strong with two centuries and a stunning 269 at Edgbaston, Gill now finds himself under fire for his decision-making—especially in the crucial fourth Test in Manchester.
Captaincy Decisions Raise Eyebrows
Gill’s choices with bowling rotations have sparked criticism from several former players. The most pointed backlash came after he delayed bringing Washington Sundar into the attack—even though conditions clearly favored spin. Despite Sundar’s four-wicket haul in the previous Test at Lord’s, Gill kept him out of the attack until the 60th over in Manchester. By then, England had already built a dominant platform.
Nasser Hussain’s Brutal Take
Former England captain Nasser Hussain didn’t hold back. Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket, he highlighted how quickly public opinion in India swings from adoration to scrutiny.
“When he got 260-odd at Edgbaston, people were saying, ‘Who is Virat Kohli? Who is Rohit Sharma? We’ve moved on.’ Then suddenly, after a couple of bad games, every decision he makes gets picked apart,” Hussain said.
He advised Gill to ignore the noise and focus on learning.
“Stay off social media. You’re a young captain. Learn from it. Just like batters or bowlers aren’t finished products early on, the same goes for leadership.”
England Take Commanding Lead
The consequences of Gill’s delayed bowling changes were evident. Once introduced, Sundar struck twice in quick succession—but the damage had already been done. Powered by Joe Root’s 150 and Ben Stokes’ 141, England piled up a massive 669. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett also chipped in with fifties.
With a 311-run first innings lead, England now sit comfortably in control of the series. India face an uphill battle and will need something extraordinary with the bat to keep the series alive.
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