Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has shared his honest views on Shubman Gill’s captaincy after the recently-concluded Test series against England. Speaking on Sony Sports after the series ended 2-2, Jadeja said Gill showed consistency but preferred a defensive approach throughout.
India pulled off a thrilling six-run win in the final Test at The Oval but Jadeja believes the overall mindset was to avoid defeat first and think about winning later throughout the series. He said the team combinations and field settings during the series suggested India were more focused on drawing matches than pushing for wins.
Jadeja admitted that while he does not fully agree with Shubman Gill’s defensive style, he still respects the fact that the inexperienced Test captain stuck to his plans and did not panic under pressure.
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"He Didn’t Change His Strategy" - Ajay Jadeja on Shubman Gill’s Calm Decision-Making at The Oval
Jadeja pointed to the playing XI selection for the first Test as an early sign of Gill’s cautious approach
"If we see his captaincy throughout the series, he has been consistent. He has been defensive. The kind of team you picked in the first match was the first signal. After that, he has been corrective. When he felt there was a shortcoming, he changed it the next time," Jadeja said as quoted on Sony Sports Network.
"His approach is not aggressive. He has a defensive approach. However, one good thing was seen, although I might not agree with it, but the solidity was seen, and that is also evident on the scoreline," he continued.
Jadeja also felt India’s playing XIs were picked with safety in mind. He said:
"The playing XI in all games was chosen with the primary objective of drawing the match, with winning being a secondary thought."
He highlighted an important moment on Day 5 of the Oval Test when Gill kept fielders on the boundary even when ideally he should have not been allowing an easy single to Gus Atkinson on the last ball of the over as injured Chris Woakes was at the other end.
"Today, there was a moment when he had to make a lot of decisions. When a single was required off the last ball, he didn’t change his strategy. He still had fielders on the boundary. A single was also taken twice. This is a massive strength for anyone."
He complimented Gill for sticking to his plan which worked in the end as India drew the series 2-2.
"I might want him to be aggressive, you might want him to be defensive, a third person might want something else, but if the one who has to make the decision sticks to his thought process, that is also a very important aspect. I would give 100 percent for that aspect," Jadeja concluded.
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India Hold Nerve to Win Oval Thriller, Level Series 2-2
India came into Day 5 with England needing only 35 runs and four wickets in hand. It looked like the hosts would seal the match and the series. But Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton early in the day to swing the momentum.
Prasidh Krishna then got Josh Tongue before Siraj returned to bowl Gus Atkinson and finish with five wickets. India won by just six runs in one of their most memorable away victories.
