Cricketer-turned-expert Aakash Chopra stated that numerous questions were raised on Shubman Gill during just his debut series as Test captain against the recently concluded series against England. The former India player also drew parallels with predecessors, especially Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma. Gill began his Test captaincy tenure in the grueling five-match Test series against England.
The young leader did exceptionally well with the bat and as a leader, as India drew 2-2 after clinching a phenomenal come-from-behind win in the last Oval Test just by six runs.
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In a video on his YouTube Channel, Chopra noted the critics and a few experts had contrasting opinions on Gill's leadership while comparing it with Kohli's style.
"Many questions were raised, and there were a few comparisons as well. If Virat Kohli is the king, his name (Gill's) has been kept as the prince, so the comparisons start quickly. I remember two or three very interesting comparisons. The first was the fight that happened at the Lord's ground. You lost the match after that," Chopra said (2:10).
"A ruckus started at that stage as to why he was fighting, and that he should play in his own style. After that, you reached Old Trafford, and it was said that the body language didn't look good, and that it never happened like that in Virat Kohli's captaincy, where you just go through the motions," he added.
Shubman Gill is just a young captain; he will learn, Aakash Chopra
The former India opener further stated that Shubman Gill is just a young captain in the making, and he will evolve as he gains more experience. Chopra also said that MS Dhoni, Kohli, & Rohit Sharma also committed some mistakes while still being raw at leadership.
"The captaincy is a work in progress, but he is 25 years old. He will learn. It was just his first series. He was seen following the ball at times, but we have seen that with all captains. We have seen that with Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and everyone, that they placed fielders wherever the ball went at some stage," he said (7:30).
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The expert also said that while Gill could have been more fearless in decision-making at certain stages on a few tactical calls and selections, including Kuldeep Yadav, Chopra said it was easier said than done.
"Could he have been braver in his team selections? I will say yes, he could have been braver, but it's easier said than done. I do feel very strongly that Kuldeep Yadav should have been played matches, but if you keep yourself in Shubman Gill's shoes, you would say the batting is not doing that good, the No. 3 hasn't gotten settled, Rishabh Pant has gotten injured, and I don't know what needs to be done at No. 6," Chopra observed.
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While Kuldeep did not get a game in the five Tests, Gill fiercely backed youngsters Sai Sudarshan and Prasidh Krishna, who performed well when it mattered.
