New Delhi, May 19
Shubman Gill may have impressed with his leadership in the IPL, but it's still premature to evaluate his potential as India's Test captain, according to Gujarat Titans assistant coach and former India spinner Ashish Kapoor.
Gill, who guided Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2024 playoffs, is among the names being considered to succeed Rohit Sharma in the red-ball format following the latter’s retirement. However, Kapoor believes the jury is still out on Gill's long-term leadership credentials.
"If you see Shubman as a batsman, or basically as a cricketer, whether he's a good thinker or not — I think he's a good thinker of his own game," Kapoor said during a post-match press conference. "I’ve seen him since his Under-16 days and have worked with him at NCA camps. He always used his brain more than others his age. That quality is vital for a captain — thinking not just for yourself but for the team and devising match-winning strategies."
Test Captaincy Still a Wait-and-Watch
With India scheduled to begin a five-match Test series in England starting June 20 in Leeds, the selection of the new Test captain is expected soon. But Kapoor warned against rushing into conclusions about Gill’s readiness for the role."I'm not an astrologer. Yes, we're watching him lead in T20s, but Test captaincy is different," Kapoor said. "When Dhoni was named captain for the 2007 World Cup, he had never captained before. Nobody knew then he would go on to become one of the greatest captains. Similarly, it's too early to say anything definitive about Shubman."
Praise for Sai Sudharsan’s Classical Approach
Kapoor also lauded young GT batter Sai Sudharsan, who emerged as the top run-scorer this IPL season, for his reliance on traditional cricketing strokes."I think they [Gill and Sudharsan] understand the game well. Sai analyses his game and looks to attack smartly. Even his attacking shots are proper cricket strokes — mostly boundaries along the ground, and sixes when the ball demands it," Kapoor explained. "His shot selection at the start of the innings has improved a lot compared to last year."
DC's Abishek Porel Remains Hopeful of Playoff Qualification
Despite a 10-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals’ Abishek Porel remains optimistic about the team’s playoff hopes. DC had posted a solid 199 for 3 but failed to defend it."We played good cricket but fell short at key moments. We still have two games left, and if we win both, there's a chance to qualify," the 22-year-old said.
Kevin Pietersen's Mentorship Proving Valuable
Porel credited DC mentor Kevin Pietersen for his growth, particularly in range-hitting."Working with Kevin has been great. He gives clear advice on what to do and what to avoid. Most importantly, he supports us when we fail. The whole management reminds us that we can bounce back," he said.
Now in his second IPL season, Porel is learning to handle the pressures of top-tier cricket. Speaking about his role in the team, he added, "Whether I open or bat at No. 3, it’s up to the management. I'm ready to perform wherever they need me."