Shubman Gill’s career is on the fast lane. Are the selectors investing too much in him, or is there a proper plan behind the decisions being taken? Leaving the social media narrative aside, which is completely polarised, it does seem that the selectors are acting to a plan. Had that not been the case, they would have made him ODI captain in May itself while announcing him as the Test match leader. They did not.
In fact, they wanted to check how he did as red-ball captain and if he was capable of taking the pressure. Could he score in difficult circumstances in England and lead the team with confidence? England was his test. And now that he has passed it with flying colours, the selectors feel assured about Gill as India’s all-format leader going forward.
I don’t think Gill the leader is the finished product just yet. No one can be within six months of taking over the reins. Having said that, I have seen things which tell me that he does have it in him to do the job over a period of time, and do so with success. The Manchester Test match is perhaps the best case in point. With India reeling at 0-2 and struggling to stay alive in the series, the pressure was maximum. That was when it was all about character. Not skill, but character. Did Gill have it in him to soak up the pressure and deliver? Could he make it count in the most difficult of circumstances? With KL Rahul in tow, he batted with assurance and determination. A 100 under pressure was evidence that Gill was ready. And that’s what may have given the selectors the final vote of confidence.
Could they have delayed the call and continued with Rohit Sharma for some more time? Rohit did a fantastic job as captain – there can be no two ways about it. But the truth is also that there are doubts over Rohit’s ability to continue for two more years. That’s what may have influenced the call. The selectors did not want a new captain close to the 2027 World Cup. They wanted stability in leadership. Had there been certainty over Rohit’s ability to continue, I don’t think this call would have been taken.
Now that it has, there is no need to abuse Gill, Agarkar and Gambhir, or question their parentage. That’s where fandom becomes disgusting. You might not like a call, and that’s entirely fair. Selection is always so subjective that hardly anyone will agree with each call that is taken. While you can indeed disagree and argue, there is absolutely no need for abuse or questioning motives. Agarkar and Gambhir have the best interests of Indian cricket in mind, just like any fan or former cricketer, and that’s something people tend to forget.
Gill is the new captain. Rohit, may I say, can still be a leader. You don’t necessarily have to be captain to be a leader in the change room. Sachin Tendulkar is the best example that one can cite. It is time to accept the decision and move on. And back Gill to deliver.
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