Following India's defeat in the recent Headingley Test against England, concerns have been raised regarding Shubman Gill's captaincy and the team's overall leadership on the field. Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook suggested that Gill might have felt "shell-shocked" during the match, especially during England's successful run chase. Cook noted that Gill appeared to relinquish control at times, with multiple players seemingly involved in decision-making, creating a sense of "captaincy by committee".
Cook wrote in his column for The Sunday Times, "You could see lots of people out on the field making decisions and getting involved with DRS calls, and they got all of those wrong. You can read all the leadership books you like, but until you are out there, there is no other feeling like it. I imagine he (Gill) would have felt shell-shocked". He also pointed out that in India's second innings, a more seasoned captain might have opted for a more aggressive approach to put pressure on England.
Nasser Hussain echoed similar sentiments, observing that Gill lacked the commanding "aura" of previous Indian captains like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He felt that Gill was often "reactive rather than proactive" in his decision-making. Hussain, however, also acknowledged that factors beyond Gill's control, such as dropped catches and batting collapses, contributed significantly to India's loss.
Other cricket analysts have also weighed in on Gill's captaincy. David Lloyd, speaking on Sky Sports' "Stick to Cricket podcast," described Gill as a "very inexperienced skipper" and noted that his tactical approach seemed "reactive rather than proactive". Cook, while acknowledging Gill's inexperience, urged patience and drew parallels with Ben Stokes' initial challenges as England's captain. Cook also suggested that Ravindra Jadeja could have bowled differently, perhaps using the rough more effectively, and that India could have explored alternative field settings or tactics like bouncer warfare.
Despite the criticism, it's important to consider that this was Gill's first major Test assignment as captain. Taking over from a seasoned leader like Rohit Sharma is no easy task, and Gill is bound to face a steep learning curve. The match itself was filled with dramatic shifts in momentum. India, despite having five centurions in the match, suffered significant batting collapses in both innings, which allowed England to claw their way back into the contest. Sloppy fielding, including multiple dropped catches, further compounded India's woes.
While questions have been raised about Gill's leadership during the Headingley Test, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments. Captaincy is a complex skill that develops with experience, and Gill deserves a fair opportunity to grow and evolve in the role.
