Shubman Gill Advised to Follow Dhoni’s Footsteps as He Grows Into Test Captaincy Role
Gill learning Test captaincy under pressure; Gary Kirsten says following Dhoni’s people skills key to long-term success.
Shubman Gill is still finding his feet as India’s new Test captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. At just 25, Gill is leading a young Indian side in a high-pressure series against England, trailing 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Lord’s Frustration Spills Over
Gill’s inexperience showed during a tense moment in the third Test at Lord’s. He lost his cool and confronted England opener Zak Crawley for allegedly wasting time. The stump mic caught Gill saying, “grow some f***ing bs,” in frustration.
When Gill came out to bat later, the England players were quick to target him with words and pressure.
Kirsten: “Emulate Dhoni’s Man-Management Skills”
Former India coach Gary Kirsten, who worked with Gill at Gujarat Titans, believes the young skipper has the tools to succeed but needs to grow into the role.
“Well, it’s still early, but I believe he has immense potential. Captaincy involves a lot of different aspects that you need to manage. He’s a great thinker of the game and a skilled player, but there are many elements to get it right. I think managing people, like any leader, will be crucial,” Kirsten told Rediff.com.
He also highlighted MS Dhoni’s calm and effective man-management style as an example to follow.
“Dhoni was an exceptional man-manager. If he can develop that aspect of his leadership, I believe he has all the qualities needed to become a great captain for India,” Kirsten added.
India will hope Gill can learn fast and lead with balance as they prepare for the crucial fourth Test in Manchester.
