Gill Deserves a Full Season Before Judgment: Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer and legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has come out in support of Shubman Gill after the youngster was appointed as India’s 37th Test captain. Speaking on the heels of the announcement made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on May 24, Gavaskar said that giving a young player the responsibility of captaincy could benefit Indian cricket not only in the current series but in the long term as well.

Shubman Gill, who takes over from Rohit Sharma following the senior batter’s retirement from Test cricket earlier in the month, is set to lead India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Though talented, Gill’s selection has raised eyebrows in some quarters due to his modest Test record and inexperience as a leader at the international level. However, Gavaskar urged fans and critics alike to remain patient and allow the youngster time to grow into the role.

In an interview with *India Today*, Gavaskar emphasized that success doesn’t come overnight. “Yes, definitely. No one becomes successful overnight. Young players need time and enough chances to prove themselves. You can’t decide their potential after just a few games. It’s the same with captains—you shouldn’t judge them after one series. Let them lead for a full season, then you can fairly assess how well they’re handling the responsibility,” he said.

Shubman Gill, who made his Test debut in 2020, has played 32 Tests so far, scoring at an average of 35.05. However, he has struggled in overseas conditions, especially in countries like England and South Africa, where his average dips below 20. Despite this, Gavaskar remains optimistic that captaincy could help Gill grow both as a leader and a batter.

Gavaskar further explained that making Gill the captain at this stage is a forward-thinking decision. At 25, Gill has the potential to lead India through at least three World Test Championship (WTC) cycles if he remains fit and consistent. "Test cricket matters to Gill. He respects the format and plays it with seriousness. That’s very important. This is the beginning of a new WTC cycle, and having a young captain like him can benefit India not only in this cycle but perhaps in the next two as well," Gavaskar said.

Reflecting on India’s history of captaincy, Gavaskar noted that several successful leaders had started with even less experience. He stressed that leadership qualities sometimes shine only after the responsibility is handed over and that Gill should be given a fair run before any conclusions are drawn.

He also acknowledged the challenges awaiting the team in the England series, especially with the typically tough English conditions. “Whether he is captain or not, the first few Tests will be hard. The weather will be cold and windy, which isn’t great for batting,” Gavaskar observed. “But Gill has the skill. He knows he hasn’t turned his 30s and 40s into big hundreds, especially overseas. That’s an area he can improve. I think captaincy might help him focus more.”

Gavaskar believes that the additional responsibility of leading the side might positively influence Gill’s batting. “When you’re leading the team and also batting, you often avoid risky shots, which could work in your favour,” he said, suggesting that captaincy might bring out a more mature version of Gill as a batter.

Overall, Sunil Gavaskar’s message is clear—give Shubman Gill the space and time to evolve. With the right support and patience, he believes Gill can emerge as a strong and successful Test captain for India.