Shubman Gill’s early days as India’s Test captain have drawn admiration from many, including veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who believes the young skipper is thriving by simply being himself. Gill, who led India to a thumping 336-run victory in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, has not only impressed with his tactical nous but also with his composed, unfiltered presence off the field.
Ravichandran Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, praised Gill’s authenticity during media interactions, pointing out that the 25-year-old isn’t trying to project a polished or rehearsed image. “He’s not putting on a show. He speaks like himself, thinks clearly, and leads with a natural flair,” Ashwin said. “It’s obvious he’s in control, and most importantly, he looks like he’s enjoying the job.”
Highlighting a common trend in modern cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin explained that many players are often coached on how to handle media, which can sometimes dull their originality.
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“Shubman, on the other hand, seems untouched by that kind of scripting. He’s leading with instinct, not instruction,” he added.
Gill’s leadership had come under scrutiny after the loss in Leeds, with some critics suggesting a lack of command on the field. But Ravichandran Ashwin believes such speculation is a typical tactic, particularly from overseas media.
“On foreign tours, the visiting captain is always under the scanner. The idea is simple—rattle the captain, and you rattle the team,” he explained.
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Despite the early doubts, Ashwin feels Gill has quickly silenced critics. “Even we had our questions, but Gill has shown maturity beyond his years in just two matches,” he said. With the series now evenly poised at 1-1, Ashwin believes momentum has shifted decisively. “England may have missed a trick, and now it’s Shubman Gill’s series to dominate.”
