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STUMP VISION OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 41

Shubman Gill’s Leadership

Test Begins in Australia as Rohit,

Virat Offer Guiding Hand

The young opener’s first ODI series as captain comes amid India’s leadership transition,

with support from senior pros and a watchful coach.

OUR BUREAU GAMBHIR’S MENTORSHIP AND
Perth / New Delhi THE ROAD AHEAD

eam India’s head coach Gau-
s Team India gears up for its tam Gambhir has also lauded
three-match ODI series in
AAustralia beginning Sunday, TGill’s temperament and open-
all eyes are on Shubman Gill. The ness to learn. Speaking on JioStar,
Gambhir said the youngster’s early
26-year-old, who takes charge of In- steps as captain have been impres-
dia’s one-day side for the first time sive, though real challenges are yet to
after replacing Rohit Sharma, stands come.
at the threshold of a defining moment “It’s still very early days — he
in his young career — steering the na- has captained only a few Test match-
tional team through a new phase of es so far,” Gambhir said. “The most
leadership transition. important quality I see is his ability to
India will face Australia in three
ODIs on October 20, 23, and 25, fol- handle pressure and tough situations.
Gill is a work in progress; he hasn’t
lowed by five T20Is starting October yet faced the worst days of captaincy,
29. The series marks the return of which will inevitably come. It will test
stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat him personally and as a leader, and
Kohli to international action since I want to see how he responds when
the ICC Champions Trophy final ear- things don’t go his way.”
lier this year. For Gill, their presence Gambhir, known for his aggres-
in the dressing room offers both re- sive yet methodical approach, also
assurance and an invaluable learning highlighted his role in shielding Gill
experience.
from external noise.
“I’ve told him I’m always here to
‘PERFECT SITUATION’ FOR A Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir with Shubman Gill (ANI) support, back, and protect him. My

YOUNG LEADER role as coach is to take the pressure
and criticism off his shoulders, as long
ndia’s all-rounder Axar Patel be- demeanor under pressure, noting in recent years. as he does the right things for the team
lieves the timing could not be bet- that the right-handed opener has What followed was a stellar dis- and remains transparent and honest
Iter for Gill to grow into his new approached the responsibility with play of grit and consistency. Lead- inside the dressing room,” he said.
role. Speaking to reporters ahead of maturity. “He is not being pressured ing India in the five-match Ander- “So far, he has been absolutely bril-
the opening ODI in Perth, Patel said after taking up the role as captain. son–Tendulkar Trophy series in liant — transparent, upfront, hard-
the presence of Rohit and Virat will That’s a good quality. Now, the England, Gill not only guided the working, and focused on doing the
be crucial for the young skipper’s de- younger players are coming. This is team to a hard-fought 2–2 draw but right things. What more can a coach
velopment. a transition period. We are sharing also topped the run charts with 754 ask of a captain who is willing to put
“I think both Rohit and Virat knowledge with them,” he added. runs at an average of 75.40, including everything on the line?”
are there. We are seeing the transi- a career-best 269. His performance
tion happening. It’s good that the se- THE MAKING OF A CAPTAIN earned him the Player of the Series INDIA’S ODI SQUAD FOR AUSTRALIA:
niors are with the youngsters at this award and established his credentials Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit
phase,” Patel said. “The youngsters ill’s rapid rise as a leader has as both a batsman and a leader capa- Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer
will know how to handle situations. been one of the major sto- ble of thriving under pressure. (Vice-Captain), Axar Patel, KL
It’s a perfect situation for Shubman Grylines in Indian cricket this Back home, Gill continued his Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy,
Gill because he has both Rohit and year. His leadership journey began fine form in the West Indies, where Washington Sundar, Kuldeep
Virat in the dressing room, who can earlier in May, when Rohit Sharma India sealed a 2–0 Test series sweep. Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed
also offer their input to him. I think announced his retirement from Test He finished as the third-highest Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh
it’s very good for his captaincy and cricket. The selectors handed the Test run-scorer with 192 runs, further Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK),
for his growth.” captaincy baton to Gill, making him strengthening his claim as a long-term Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Patel also praised Gill’s calm the youngest Indian to lead the side prospect for India’s leadership core.

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