The team is playing well under the leadership of Shubman Gill, but the foreign media attacks the captains: Ravichandran Ashwin

Indian cricket is witnessing a new era in Test leadership, and former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come forward to express strong support for the young and dynamic Test captain, Shubman Gill. Ashwin, known for his deep understanding of the game, praised Gill not only for his batting brilliance but also for his calm, composed, and honest nature, particularly during media interactions. Ever since experienced campaigners like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped away from red-ball cricket, Indian selectors have been searching for a leader who could take the Test side forward. Shubman Gill, already a promising talent and former captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, was handed the responsibility, especially after showing leadership potential during India’s Zimbabwe tour.

Before the England series began, questions were raised about Gill's consistency in red-ball cricket, especially in overseas conditions. Many doubted whether he could handle the pressure of leading India in such a high-profile series. However, those doubts were quickly silenced as Gill delivered a stellar performance in the first two Tests against England. His poise on the field and the bat spoke volumes. But what caught Ashwin's attention was Gill’s attitude during press conferences.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted Gill’s authenticity and confidence. “Shubman has an amazing talent when it comes to batting, but I was particularly impressed by how natural he is in press conferences. He is not acting or pretending to be someone else. He talks exactly the way he feels and leads the team using his own instincts and cricketing knowledge,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin, who has been a part of numerous overseas tours, pointed out a crucial observation about how captains are often singled out by foreign media. He explained that on such tours, opposition media often targets the captain to mentally unsettle the whole team. “On foreign tours, the captain becomes the focal point of criticism. If you can mentally disturb the captain, then it’s easier to shake the confidence of the entire team. It’s like toppling one domino to collapse the rest,” he remarked.

In this context, Ashwin admired Gill’s calmness and maturity. He said that Gill doesn’t appear to be someone who is media-trained or told what to say. “Don’t get me wrong, but many players are taught exactly what to say and how to behave when facing the press. But Gill is different. He speaks from the heart. He seems to be someone who follows his beliefs and stands by them, which is a great quality for a leader,” said Ashwin.

Apart from his media handling skills and leadership qualities, Gill’s batting has been nothing short of historic. In the Headingley Test, he scored a superb 147, showcasing both patience and aggression. But his standout performance came in the second Test at Edgbaston, where he hammered 269 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a solid 161 in the second. In doing so, Shubman Gill became the first Indian Test captain to score a double century and another 150+ score in the same match.

His consistency throughout the series has been remarkable. In just two Tests, he has amassed 585 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 146.25. These numbers not only silence critics but also place him among the most successful Test captains early in their careers.

With Ashwin’s backing and his own performances speaking for themselves, Shubman Gill seems to be firmly establishing himself as the future of Indian Test cricket — both as a batsman and as a leader.