Former India fielding coach R Sridhar has expressed strong support for Shubman Gill as the future all-format leader of the Indian cricket team after Rohit Sharma. Sridhar’s endorsement comes at a time when Gill’s performances have been consistently impressive across all formats of the game.
Shubman Gill’s Rise in International Cricket
Shubman Gill has been a standout performer for India since his debut. His journey began with a breakthrough series against Australia in 2020-21, where he played a crucial role in India’s historic Test series win. Since then, Gill has established himself as a reliable top-order batsman in all formats:
- Tests: Gill has scored 1492 runs in 46 innings at an average of 35.52.
- ODIs: He has amassed 2322 runs in 46 innings at an average of 59.53, including six centuries and 13 fifties.
- T20Is: In 20 matches, Gill has scored 578 runs at an average of 30.42 and a strike rate of 139.27.
Leadership Potential
Gill’s leadership potential was highlighted during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, where he captained a young team to a 4-1 series victory in the five-match T20I series. His ability to lead from the front and his calm demeanour under pressure has drawn comparisons to some of India’s greatest captains.
R Sridhar’s Endorsement
R Sridhar, who has closely worked with Gill during his tenure as India’s fielding coach, believes that Gill has all the qualities required to be an all-format leader. Sridhar pointed out that Gill’s performances in the India-England Test series and various ODI games have solidified his position as a key player in the team.
Sridhar stated, “Shubman Gill for me is an all-format player and I think he would be the apprentice to captain Rohit Sharma in Test matches and ODIs. I am sure India will see him as the captain post-2027 World Cup in all formats.”
Do you agree with R Sridhar? 👀#Cricket #India #RohitSharma #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/PKi6KJF1mN
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Comparisons with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Gill’s approach to the game and his leadership style have often been compared to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sridhar emphasized that Gill has the potential to bring out the best in himself and his teammates, much like Rohit and Virat have done over the years.
Future Prospects
With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, Sridhar’s endorsement of Gill as the future captain is a significant vote of confidence. Gill’s recent appointment as the vice-captain for the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka further cements his position as a future leader.
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