Ravi Shastri, Mohammad Azharuddin reject criticism of Shubman Gill’s Test captaincy: 'We cannot just complain'

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and ex-coach Ravi Shastri have come out in support of Shubman Gill as the young Test captain is facing criticism from all corners after the defeat in Headingley against England. Despite India being in the ascendancy during the majority of the first Test, England managed to secure a five-wicket win in the end by chasing down a record 71-run target.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar criticised Gill for being "too defensive" with his field setting in the first match of the five-Test series, while former England captain Nasser Hussain said India’s new Test captain lacks the aura that former captains like Virat Kohli carried on the field.

Azharuddin rejects criticism against Gill

Amid the criticism, Azharuddin said that “it is too early” to dissect Gill’s captaincy and we must give the 25-year-old some more time.

“This is his just first match as a captain, you just can’t talk about captaincy. It’s too early to talk about captaincy,” Azharuddin told the news agency PTI.

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“We should give him a fair chance and he has just taken over. So, you should give him a lot of time and support. We cannot just complain and criticise players like that.”

Shastri wants BCCI selectors to trust Gill

Former Team India head coach and all-rounder Shastri went a step forward and said that Gill needs to hold the Test captaincy position for at least three years. He added that the selectors must stick with him for a long period and he will “deliver” for the team.

“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,” Shastri told Wisden.

“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.”

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The second India-England Test starts on 2 July at Edgbaston, Birmingham.