Kane Williamson praises India’s new Test captain

Shubman Gill was thought of as a formulaic captain. In the last two years as Gujarat Titans (GT) captain, it often seemed as though he was sticking to his pre-decided plans, irrespective of the match situation. He also seemed overdependent on Ashish Nehra. When he took over as India’s Test captain from Rohit Sharma, people were apprehensive and critical.

His debut Test as captain seemed to prove both of these points. But Gill has pleasantly surprised everyone. Tactically, he’s improved heaps. Gill’s adapting on the fly to tackle Bazball. The field setting for Harry Brook at Lord’s or using Nitish Reddy as a front-line fast bowler, his punts seem to be working.

Captaincy sits well with Shubman: Williamson

One of the all-time Test greats, Kane Williamson, isn’t shocked that Gill has hit the ground running. Virat Kohli has, in the past, heaped praise on the 26-year-old, and another member of the Fab 4, who is his former GT teammate, thinks Gill’s tenure as India’s Test captain has started beautifully.

“He’s responded beautifully, hasn’t he? I always thought captaincy sits well with Shubman. I know happening in a franchise space is slightly different, you know it’s a shorter sort of project versus captain in your country, which is you know it’s a lot more consuming. Whilst you’re in that role, you’re never out of it. It’s a much larger role sort of on and off the field.

Watching Shubman operate and he’s wise beyond his years and you know that responsibility is naturally something that he would look to take on. So hearing him get that opportunity was no surprise to me but you know the quality of the player is something that goes without saying.

He’s absolutely world-class. And all the other formats throughout… the IPL for a number of years and one day cricket I think he’s top of the tree there. Test cricket really is a matter of time. To see him come over here and conditions that can be challenging with the Dukes from time to time, and dominate like he has, it’s been amazing,” Williamson told the Times of India.

Being a leader & relationship with head coach

As perhaps New Zealand’s most successful captain of all time, Williamson knows a thing or two about leadership. He believes Gill will need some time to find himself as a leader and must separate batting from captaincy. The Kiwi great highlights that having a great understanding with Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, is essential in this early phase of his stint.

“There are going to be really valuable lessons for him and we’re looking towards the leader that he will become but it’s still early days. I think goes a long way for him and his comfort in that role as well as a leader of the Indian team.

The cricketer Shubman and the leadership qualities that he has… if he separates those then there is real quality in both departments and actually starting sort of embedding the things that you value, along with the head coach. Forming that really strong bond… it’s really important and I think that’s what we’re seeing in these early stages. There are going to be really valuable lessons for him and we’re looking towards the leader that he will become but it’s still early days,” Williamson added.