 "Shubman Gill was seen as next India captain since 2023, reveals ex-selector: 'He was the right guy'")
Shubman Gill is likely to become India’s captain across all formats soon and the preparation for that had begun as early as 2023 when the right-hander was earmarked as a future captaincy candidate by the selectors. He is already captain in Test cricket and ODIs, and is the deputy to skipper Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is.
India have usually stuck with only one captain for all three formats and Gill is likely to take charge in T20Is as well to follow up on MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as India’s next all-format leader.
Back in 2023, his batting and leadership skills were so apparent that the selectors had already thought of him as the next leader of Indian cricket.
‘Gill was thought to be the next captain since 2023’
Former BCCI selector Salil Ankola has revealed that the Punjab opener who made his India debut in early 2019, had been earmarked as the next captain by 2023.
“We always thought Gill would become the captain. We had considered him for the role right from 2023, believing he would take the reins in his hands. Selectors do take suggestions-not only from the coach and captain but also from other senior players. They also felt he was the right guy, even those who retired earlier,” said Ankola on Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube channel.
“It is a collective decision. Everyone felt it, and he proved it in England. What a series he had! Under such pressure, if he scores 750 runs in England, that shows his mental capacity,” he added. “People will say someone else should have been captain or bring someone back. Humans are very unsatisfied souls. Whatever good you do, they will find something bad in it. People think they know everything.”
Quick Reads
View AllGill was appointed captain for the away Test series against England and India managed to draw the thrilling series 2-2. Captaincy also seemed to bring out the best of Gill with the bat as he slammed 756 runs at an average of 75.40 on the tour. He broke multiple records in the series with four centuries which included a historic 269.
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