“Vice-Captain Doesn’t Mean Captain!” – Uthappa’s Harsh Message to Shubman Gill
Robin Uthappa says Shubman Gill must prove himself in T20Is before being seen as India’s future captain.
Robin Uthappa has made a sharp remark on Shubman Gill’s growing leadership role, saying the young opener still has to prove his worth in T20Is before being seen as India’s next all-format captain.
Gill’s rise in Indian cricket has been quick. From leading the Test side to being named ODI captain for the Australia tour, he has stepped into senior roles with confidence.
But his T20I record remains under the scanner. In 28 matches, he has scored 705 runs at an average below 30, and his form in the recent Asia Cup did not help, managing just 127 runs in seven innings.
Uthappa believes Gill’s performance in the shortest format doesn’t yet justify his vice-captaincy. He said the 25-year-old needs to earn his place again, especially with strong competition from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Shreyas Iyer.
“I get why he’s captain in ODIs and Tests, but in T20s, he still has to earn that spot,” Uthappa said.
He also cautioned against assuming vice-captains automatically become captains in India.
“Things change overnight in Indian cricket. Being vice-captain doesn’t mean you’re next in line,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
