Shubman Gill shapes a new style of leadership as captain

Inside the Nets

Shubman Gill faces a much busier routine in the nets since taking over as captain in Tests and One-Day Internationals. Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal, and head coach Gautam Gambhir all seek him out during practice sessions. Despite the heavy workload, Gill manages his new responsibilities quietly without showing any frustration.

Dressing Room Dynamics

Gill steps into a dressing room filled with legendary figures and senior players. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both former captains, have played nearly three times as many games as him, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. Even though he could feel overawed by their massive aura, he keeps his calm and draws a firm line where he listens to suggestions but makes the final decisions himself.

Leadership Style

Gill brings a distinct Gen Z vibe to his captaincy without the artificial seriousness or smouldering ego of older generations. He does not micromanage like MS Dhoni, wear his heart on his sleeve like Virat Kohli, or exude the cool demeanor of Rohit Sharma. Instead, he aims to take the best qualities from every captain he has played under while keeping his own personality intact.

The Experience Gap

Gill took on the leadership role when he was only 55 games old in One-Day Internationals. By comparison, Virat Kohli had played 178 games and Rohit Sharma had played over 200 matches before taking over. With bilateral series and triangular tournaments becoming rare, he has logged only 67 games in seven years, making his upcoming test at the World Cup next year a major challenge.