Gujarat Titans assistant coach Aashish Kapoor has thrown his weight behind Shubman Gill’s captaincy in IPL 2025, especially amid growing speculation about the young opener being groomed to lead India’s Test team. Drawing a compelling parallel, Kapoor compared Gill’s leadership journey to that of MS Dhoni—India’s most iconic captain—who also began his tenure with minimal captaincy experience but evolved into a master tactician over time.

Speaking at the post-match press conference following GT’s emphatic 10-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, Kapoor praised Gill’s poise, strategic clarity, and ability to balance personal performance with team goals.

“When Dhoni was made captain for the first time, he hadn’t led any side. No one could have predicted he would become one of the finest captains in the world,” Aashish Kapoor said. “Leadership matures over time. Shubman is just getting started.”

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Gill’s leadership credentials gained further weight after he led Gujarat into the playoffs with a commanding performance against Delhi, highlighted by his unbeaten 93 in a record 202-run opening stand with Sai Sudharsan.

While Gill’s return to form with the bat has been a major boost for Gujarat, it’s his calm demeanour and on-field decisiveness that have drawn attention in cricketing circles.

Following a relatively quiet IPL 2024, Gill’s resurgence this season—both as a batsman and captain—has sparked fresh conversations about his suitability to take over the red-ball reins from Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from Test cricket. His ability to absorb pressure and guide his team with maturity beyond his years is earning plaudits from fans and former cricketers alike.

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With GT securing their playoff berth, the focus now shifts to their final two league games—must-win fixtures against Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings. A top-two finish would give Gujarat a critical advantage in the playoffs and further strengthen Gill’s reputation as a leader in the making. Should he guide his side to another IPL title, it could be the defining chapter of his captaincy journey so far.