Discussions about the future leadership of India have intensified since the previous one England asked if he was a spinner Shubman Gill Ready to shoulder the responsibility of being India’s all-format captain. While acknowledging Gill’s immense batting talent, the former cricketer believes the young star lacks the intensity and mental edge required to consistently lead the national team in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Former cricketer Shubman questions Gill’s temperament for leadership in all formats
sincere talker Monty Panesar He argued that captaincy at the highest level requires more than running and technique. Gill’s approach under pressure often veers into complacency, he said, which can become a liability when combined with the tactical and emotional demands of leadership. The former left-arm spinner stressed that being an all-format captain in modern cricket is an “all-consuming role” that only a few players can truly handle.
Panesar drew a sharp comparison between Gill and the former Indian captain Virat Kohliwidely regarded as one of India’s most intense leaders. He noted that Kohli’s aggression, energy and relentless standards were seen irrespective of the format or match situation and set a benchmark for leadership.
“He is a complacent cricketer. He has a lot of talent but he starts playing lazy shots in the game. Virat Kohli’s intensity and aggression shows in all formats. Shubman Gill can’t do that. It’s too much for him. He can’t captain all formats.” Panesar said with reference to “India Today” agency.
According to Panesar, the issue isn’t Gill’s skill set, but the added mental burden that comes with leadership. He suggested that stacking captaincy duties across formats could reduce Gill’s batting focus and potentially stunt his growth as a top batsman.
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Concerns about India’s red ball structure
Beyond individual leadership, Panesar highlighted deeper structural problems in Indian cricket, particularly in the red-ball format. He believes India is still some way from rebuilding a dominant Test side, citing the widening gap between domestic cricket and the international level.
Panesar emphasized that the transition from Ranji Trophy to Test cricket remains steep, with four-day cricket requiring patience, discipline and continuous hard work. He further pointed out that the financial and structural difficulties in domestic red ball cricket affect the motivation of the players. With test cricket and domestic four-day competitions offering fewer financial incentives than T20 leagues, staying focused and committed becomes difficult for budding players.
“Indian players are not ready for Test cricket. Players who do well in T20s and ODIs do not necessarily perform well in Tests. The difference between Ranji Trophy and the Indian Test team is huge. Four-day cricket requires hard work and patience. Test cricket pays less and that affects the focus. The Ranji Trophy system will be weak for Test cricket in India.Panesar added.
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