Shubman Gill’s commanding performance in England has reignited the leadership debate in Indian cricket. Just weeks after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gill’s composure and run-scoring spree have drawn comparisons to Kohli’s rise in 2017.
The 25-year-old led from the front in the five-Test series, amassing a record 754 runs in 10 innings to script a thrilling 2-2 draw against England. His success has sparked calls for a return to the T20I format — and possibly, the captain’s role.
Selectors Face Crucial Asia Cup Decision
With the Asia Cup set for next month in the UAE, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has a big call to make: stick with Suryakumar Yadav or hand Gill the reins before the 2026 T20 World Cup. Gill hasn’t featured in T20Is since July 2024, when India’s focus shifted to Tests for the Australia tour and ODIs for the Champions Trophy.
Former Selector Urges Clear Leadership Call
Former India selector Devang Gandhi believes Gill is in a position similar to Kohli in 2017 when he was groomed under MS Dhoni. Praising Agarkar’s foresight in making Gill Test captain, Gandhi said:
“Gill’s aura is like Virat’s back in 2017. He’s thriving with captaincy and has the temperament for T20 leadership. The messaging has to be clear about who takes over after Surya.”
Why Split Captaincy Might Not Work in India
Gandhi cautioned against split captaincy, pointing to India’s preference for leadership stability. With Gill already leading in Tests and proving his consistency across formats, Gandhi feels the T20I captaincy is a natural next step.
“Split captaincy doesn’t work long-term in India. Gill has ticked all the boxes — as a batter and as a leader. He’s also led in the IPL,” Gandhi added.
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