‘He has to prove himself in Tests’ – Former India batter questions decision to make Shubman Gill captain

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned the logic behind naming Shubman Gill as the new Test captain. The 25-year-old is set for his assignment when he leads India out to the park in Leeds for the opening game against England on Friday. Rohit Sharma’s retirement last month saw the Indian selectors name a new skipper for the huge five-match series against England. 

Sportskeeda quoted the former India batter as saying, “Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had given a statement that they talk a lot behind the scenes and take feedback. Gill captained in the IPL as well and Gujarat played very well in the league phase. His experience in captaincy has increased from there. Selectors have also shown faith. He has scored runs as well as captaineded in the IPL. They got feedback that he has the calmness. He does not succumb to pressure. He is a leader. He has the tactical sense as a captain."

The former India batter also went on to say on his YouTube channel, “They took this feedback from people in the dressing room and made him captain. His record as a batter in Tests is not great. He has to prove himself in Tests and the pressure will be there. But as there is no Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, Bumrah is injury prone and he may not play all Tests.”

Former India batter feels Rishabh Pant was better option as captain. 

During his live YouTube chat, Kaif said that he felt Rishabh Pant could have been a better fit as the new Test captain. The 44-year-old said, “I believed that Rishabh Pant was more worthy compared to Shubman Gill. He should have been the captain. No one in the current squad has played as many match-winning knocks as Pant. He captains in the IPL as well. However, as Gill was doing well in the IPL, the feedback was to invest in him as captain. They have played a gamble on him that he can win us the series. It is an investment for the future; that is why Gill has been made captain.”

Mohammad Kaif also said that Indian fans will be missing Virat Kohli, who retired a week after Rohit Sharma. “You will not find a player like Virat Kohli right now. The replacement cannot happen now. It will take time. He is a big batter who has a great record and has played many years for India and captained as well. His replacement will not be found right away and he is being missed too."

“When the Test series happens and you will not see him, the emotion will be there. The energy that he brings to the ground and the way he scores runs – he has a different style of playing and that is why you will miss him and look around for him. However, I feel that we should get used to seeing the Indian team playing and winning without Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill is the captain and we wish that he does well," Mohammad Kaif ended by saying.