ENG vs IND 2025: To become a great captain, Shubman Gill needs to become a ‘man manager’ like MS Dhoni – Gary Kirsten

Since taking over the captaincy of the Indian cricket team, Shubman Gill has shown impressive form with the bat, scoring three centuries in three Test matches during the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. His personal performance with the bat has silenced many critics who questioned his maturity and temperament. However, captaincy is about much more than just individual success, and former India head coach Gary Kirsten has shared a thoughtful perspective on what Gill still needs to develop in order to become a truly great leader. Kirsten, who guided India to their historic 2011 ODI World Cup win alongside MS Dhoni, believes that while Gill’s potential is undeniable, leadership in international cricket demands a combination of skills. Speaking to *Rediff*, Kirsten said, “It’s early days yet. I think he has immense potential. In captaincy you have to put many things together. He is a great thinker in the game. He is a good player himself. But you have to get many things right. And I think man management will also come into play like any captain.” According to Kirsten, understanding how to manage personalities and keep the dressing room motivated is what separates a good captain from a great one. He emphasized that Gill’s cricketing intelligence and ability to lead by example are great starting points, but to truly thrive as a captain, he must master the human side of leadership.

Kirsten pointed out how MS Dhoni excelled in this crucial area and suggested that Gill could learn a lot from him. “Dhoni was an incredible man-manager. If he can hone this aspect of his leadership skills fully, I think he has all the qualities to become a great captain for India,” Kirsten said. Dhoni was well known for his calm demeanor, his ability to absorb pressure, and most importantly, his knack for getting the best out of his teammates. Whether it was handling young talents like Virat Kohli or backing under-pressure veterans, Dhoni’s approach created a team culture that thrived on mutual respect and confidence. Kirsten believes that if Gill can emulate even a fraction of that ability, he could take India to greater heights.

The former coach also spoke about Gautam Gambhir, who has recently taken on a more prominent coaching role in Indian cricket. When asked about Gambhir, Kirsten said, “I don’t know coach Gautam at all.” However, he acknowledged Gambhir’s playing career and mental toughness. “I really like Gautam as a player. There is a toughness in him which is very useful. I think he is really strong. But he has a personality and he has a style. The biggest thing is, does this personality and style connect with the Indian players? That is what will really matter.” In modern-day cricket, particularly in the Indian context where team dynamics can be complex due to diversity in backgrounds and languages, a coach’s connection with players is just as important as their technical inputs. Kirsten noted that if Gambhir can build trust and communicate clearly with the players, he could make a meaningful impact. “I am a big fan of Gautam and I hope he is getting the support he needs and the players, if not already, are starting to warm up to him and understand how he wants to work and whether he can add value to the team,” Kirsten added.

In summary, while Shubman Gill has made a promising start to his captaincy journey, his evolution as a leader will depend not only on scoring runs but also on how he inspires, manages, and unites the dressing room. Similarly, with figures like Gambhir entering the coaching space, the Indian team finds itself in an exciting phase of transition. The blend of youthful energy, tactical brilliance, and emotional intelligence will be crucial in shaping the next era of Indian cricket.