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Gary Kirsten Backs Shubman Gill’s Leadership, Draws MS Dhoni Comparison
Gill’s Emerging Captaincy in Focus Amid England Series Pressure
Shubman Gill’s appointment as India’s Test captain has sparked widespread interest, especially following his impressive run with the bat. Gill has smashed centuries in all three matches so far in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, showcasing his growth as a batter under pressure.
However, while Gill’s batting form is flourishing, his leadership abilities are still under observation, especially as India trails 2-1 in the five-match Test series. Former Indian head coach Gary Kirsten has now weighed in on Gill’s leadership style and potential, drawing comparisons with none other than the legendary MS Dhoni.
Gary Kirsten: “Gill Has the Ingredients, But It’s Early Days”
The Dhoni Benchmark and the Road Ahead
In an exclusive conversation with Rediff, Gary Kirsten, who led India to the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph under Dhoni’s captaincy, expressed optimism about Gill’s leadership journey. He praised Gill for being a sharp thinker and a high-performing cricketer but emphasized that captaincy demands more than just cricketing acumen.
“Well, it’s early days. I think he’s got great potential. Captaincy is a whole lot of things that you’ve got to put together. He’s a great thinker in the game. He’s a good player himself. But there’s a whole bunch of things you’ve got to get right. And I think man-management is going to play, like any leader,” Kirsten said.
He highlighted man-management as a critical skill for any successful captain, citing MS Dhoni’s unmatched ability to understand, manage, and back his players—something Kirsten believes could make or break Gill’s tenure as leader.
The Dhoni Factor: What Gill Can Learn
Kirsten emphasized that MS Dhoni’s rise as one of India’s most successful captains was largely due to his calm demeanor and excellent man-management skills. He pointed out that if Shubman Gill can integrate this leadership trait, he has every chance of leading India successfully in the long run.
“Dhoni was an incredible man-manager. If [Gill] can get that component of his leadership really fired up, I think he has all the credentials to become a great captain for India,” Kirsten added.
Gill is still awaiting his first series win as India’s Test captain, and the real test of his leadership will come when India takes on England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester starting July 23. Learn more about India vs England Tests.
Gill’s Stats Speak, But Leadership Still Under Fire
While critics have hailed Gill’s batting, the pressure of team strategy, field placements, and bowling changes are now firmly under the microscope. With India behind in the series, every decision made on the field will weigh heavily in the court of public opinion.
His captaincy will be defined not just by numbers, but also by moments of tactical brilliance, player backing, and handling pressure—areas where Dhoni excelled consistently.
Related: How MS Dhoni’s Captaincy Changed Indian Cricket Forever
As India prepares for a must-win encounter in Manchester, the eyes of the cricketing world will remain on Gill—not just to score runs but to inspire a turnaround as a leader.
