BCCI’s bold move to appoint Shubman Gill as Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement raised eyebrows—but the Punjab batter has grasped the role with both hands. With an impressive 607 runs in three Tests, Gill currently tops the series charts. He also led India to their historic first Test win at Edgbaston. Still, the pressure is mounting as India trail 2–1 in the five-match series.

Former South African cricketer and ex‑India coach Gary Kirsten has praised Gill’s start, particularly his abundant runs and strategic insight. But he also emphasises the need for Gill to develop strong man-management skills akin to MS Dhoni’s, saying, “If he can get that component of his leadership fired up, I think he has all the credentials to become a great captain for India”.

Kirsten, who witnessed Gill’s captaincy up close while mentoring him at Gujarat Titans, warned that Test captaincy demands more than just runs—it requires handling people, pressure, and personalities.

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On the field, Gill has been imperious: 147 at Headingley, followed by sensational tallies of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston—430 runs in a single Test, the second-largest match aggregate in Test history. His match-winning effort in Birmingham earned him the Man of the Match award.

However, the Lord’s Test saw a sharp dip: Gill managed only 22 runs across two innings in a low-scoring defeat. Now, as India gears up for the fourth Test at Old Trafford, curiosity surrounds whether Gill can recalibrate. India depends on its form and leadership to level the series.

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While Gill already demonstrates captaincy promise, Kirsten’s reminder to build human connections—leadership grounded in empathy and understanding, not just tactics—could be pivotal. If Gill can integrate that, he may well emerge as India’s next long-term Test captain.