Shubman Gill Can’t Be An All Format Captain: Ex-Cricketer England Star’s Blunt Verdict

Shubman Gill is one of the most promising and talented young Indian cricketers today. He displays class while batting, remains calm under pressure, and scores runs in all formats. Many fans have already started calling him a future leader of the Indian team, even at this early stage of his career. A former English cricketer offered a very clear and direct opinion about him. He said: Shubman Gill should not be made the captain of the Indian team in all formats at this time. This sparked a major debate among cricket fans and experts. The former English great believes that Gill possesses leadership qualities, but he feels that captaining in all three formats – Test, ODI, and T20 – simultaneously would be too much for him at this point in his career.

What Did England Ex-Cricketer Mean?

The former England legend believes that captaining in all formats of cricket is one of the most challenging jobs in the world today. According to him, leadership is far more complex than just talent or popularity. A captain needs a deep understanding of the game, the ability to manage players effectively, and the mental fortitude to handle constant pressure. He further explains that modern cricket is incredibly fast-paced. Decisions have to be made quickly; plans need to be changed instantly, and mistakes are met with harsh criticism. Therefore, the leadership role in all formats should be strictly reserved for those with considerable experience.

Captaincy Pressure Can Affect Gill’s Batting

The former England cricketer clearly stated that Shubman Gill is still learning at the top level. He said that putting the pressure of captaincy on him across all formats could affect his batting, which is currently his greatest strength. He further suggested that while Gill has potential, it’s not the right time to burden him with such significant responsibilities.

Why All-Format Captaincy Is Very Hard Today

• Things have certainly changed in cricket over time.
• Test cricket requires a lot of patience and long-term thinking.
• One-Day cricket demands balance and control.
• T20Is require quick and courageous decision-making.

Managing all these formats simultaneously puts immense mental and physical pressure on a player. Other factors like travel fatigue, media scrutiny, and high expectations make it even more challenging. This is why there are very few captains in today’s game who have been successful in all three formats.

Shubman Gill’s Current Role in Indian Cricket

Shubman Gill is already a key player for India. He opens the batting, plays impactful innings, and performs well against top bowlers. Over the past few years, he has shown that he can handle high-pressure situations. Gill is also benefiting from leadership experience. He has captained India in some bilateral series and for other teams, which has given him the opportunity to learn team management and decision-making in a less pressurized environment. A former England cricketer claims this is the best way for him to progress.

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Experience Importance Over Talent for Captaincy

The England expert is very clear here:

Captaincy requires more than just talent; it demands experience. Many young players struggle when they are thrust into leadership roles too early. They are blamed for losses, face media criticism, and bear constant responsibility; understanding what all of this entails leads to the conclusion that a young captain should be given very little opportunity to be under excessive pressure, especially when he is not performing well with the bat. For this reason, they believe that India should protect Gill’s confidence and form and allow the young player to focus on his batting for the time being.

Comparison With Past Indian Captains

The most remarkable thing about the best Indian captains is that they only wear the captain’s armband after becoming senior players, when their qualities are fully developed. Before taking on the responsibility of captaincy, they understand the situation, their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as their teammates and opponents, very well. The former England cricketer believes that Gill is also on the same path, but hasn’t reached that stage yet. Giving him the captaincy in all formats at this early stage might hinder his growth rather than help it.

Modern Cricket Favours Different Captains

In modern cricket, many teams prefer to have different captains for different formats. This helps in managing the workload effectively and keeps all the players fresh. To some extent, India already follows this system. English experts support this model. They believe that, initially, Gill should captain in one format, build his confidence, and then gradually take on more responsibilities. Over time, he will develop into a strong and successful leader.

Fan Reactions and Expert Opinions

• Fans are divided on this issue.
• Some fans believe that Gill already possesses the maturity and patience required to become a successful leader.
• Other fans feel that giving him the captaincy in all formats right now would be a risk.

Many cricket experts have said that Gill is still young and has many years ahead of him to develop into a more confident and successful leader.

Conclusion

The ongoing debate surrounding Shubman Gill’s captaincy highlights a crucial reality of modern cricket: leadership is not something to be rushed. Gill is undoubtedly one of India’s top batsmen and a future leader, but captaining across all formats requires considerable experience, mental fortitude, and consistency. We agree with the former England cricketer’s candid assessment and the current global trend of teams prioritizing player development and workload management. For now, it would be best for Gill to continue performing well and gradually learn the nuances of leadership. With this approach, he can one day become a strong and successful captain.

Also Read: Why Was Shubman Gill Left Out Of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad? BCCI’s Clear Answer

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why does the former England cricketer say Shubman Gill is not ready for all-format captaincy?

He believes Gill lacks enough experience and may not handle the pressure of leading all formats at once.

Q2. Is Shubman Gill currently India’s all-format captain?

No. He captains India only in selected matches and series.

Q3. Can Shubman Gill become an all-format captain in the future?

Yes. Experts feel he has the potential but needs more experience and maturity.

Q4. What is the biggest challenge of all-format captaincy today?

Managing workload, mental pressure, and different strategies for each format.

Q5. What should Shubman Gill focus on right now?

Experts say he should focus on batting consistency and learn leadership gradually.