Indian cricket fans have started accessorizing Shubman Gill with the moniker, Prince. He’s been turning heads in the cricketing world both for his remarkable batting talents and just as importantly the development of his leadership potential. As he prepares to become captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill is beginning to globalize his talent. His experience will be a tremendous asset on the field. Having already captained India in five T20 internationals, he is both a batting and leadership prospect for the long haul.
Gill’s journey has been marked with milestones – his extensive U-19 success, his fine Test batting average of 35. His performance against the speedsters has been most impressive, averaging 40 against balls over 140 km/h (87 mph) to go with his 90 overall. He looks lost at sea against even the most pedestrian of seam bowlers. His 22 percent shooting percentage shines a light on obvious holes in his game that need addressing.
In Test cricket, Gill’s intent and aggressive batting is on display as he has a SR of 190 on the pull shot. His impressive attacking game has turned a lot of heads. He is developing his game with the help of England’s head coach Brendon McCullum during instruction camps when playing IPL. McCullum’s philosophy of aggressive cricket aligns with Gill’s leadership approach, which emphasizes clear communication and player support.
Gill’s leadership philosophy, as you’ll soon hear, begins and ends with him creating an environment where his teammates feel safe. First off, he promotes open communication and comfort levels around one’s strengths and weaknesses.
“What I like is communication with the players, making the players feel secure, talking to them, giving them comfort around their weaknesses and strengths,” – Shubman Gill
His captaincy record speaks for itself, with a win percentage of 52%. It’s a testament to his strategic genius, but a sign he’s held in high esteem among his contemporaries. As he continues to grow in this role, Gill’s leadership style aims to foster a team spirit that promotes success on the field.
On the batting side, Gill has already made history in multiple impactful ways. His debut Test century against Bangladesh in 2022 turned out to be a new dawning point for his career. Most recently, he was the holder of a career-high 128 runs against Australia in Ahmedabad back in early 2023. There was little doubt as he produced an equally astounding performance in the tour of India early in 2024. In that series, he scored two centuries!
Though Gill’s Test average of 35 might seem low, his average against spin bowling is much healthier at 42. This juxtaposition serves to emphasize just how good he is against spinners. It really differentiates him from a lot of other modern cricketers who struggle against the turning ball.
In the 50-over or 20-over disciplines, Gill’s class comes to the fore with his immaculate technique and confidence seeing him possess the second-best one-day international batting average ever. His influence, adaptability and durability across all formats of the game have made him a linchpin for India.
As Gill reflects on his journey and experiences, he appreciates those aggravating times when he couldn’t quite convert starts into something more substantial.
“There was a phase where I got 40s or 50s,” – Shubman Gill
He’d like to allow himself to play a little more instinctually. Or better, he won’t be forced into tactics that aren’t his true form.
“I’d rather accept being dismissed while going for a shot. It wasn’t acceptable to me that I got out while trying to adapt to a style which didn’t come naturally to me. All of my dismissals in this period were off defensive shots,” – Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is developing into a hell of a batsman and captain. Through that greatness he exemplifies the extraordinary promise for unqualified greatness that exists in Indian cricket. His autobiography is a testament to his transformation. It showcases the evolution of a new generation of players who pair their on-court talent with sought-out leadership abilities.
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