Shubman Gill’s first Test as India’s captain at Headingley was a tale of two halves. He scored a brilliant century (104 balls, 100 runs), becoming only the fifth Indian to do so on debut as skipper. However, fielding errors and missed chances cost India the match, as England chased down 371 to win by five wickets.
As reported by Hindustan Times, Gill’s field placements and bowling rotations drew criticism, while his batting was widely praised. Gautam Gambhir defended him, telling Cricbuzz that “it’s like throwing someone into the deep sea.” The Shubman Gill captaincy era has begun—with lessons already piling up.
[REPORT] A Ton to Remember but a Match to Forget
Gill’s first game as skipper started strong. He entered with a strong foundation and took full advantage of it with an outstanding century. His confidence was evident, and his footwork and technique appeared flawless. This inning seemed like a statement for someone who has had a rough time playing outside of Asia lately.
With the bat, he set an example that demonstrated that effort behind the scenes did pay off. But Shubman Gill’s captaincy faced its first real test in the field.
India let go of several chances. Easy catches were dropped, misfields piled up, and momentum slipped away.
Gill seemed to struggle with decision-making and field placements. He was clearly adapting, often overthinking and reacting late to England’s attacking style.
[TRENDING] What Fans Are Saying Online
Social media didn’t hold back. While many praised Gill’s hundred, others zoomed in on the captaincy blunders.
One user commented on a post,
Bhai batting toh bhot achi kari
Maza aaya, bss fielding aur bowling pe thoda aur dhyan do— SKM (@SamarOnScreen) June 24, 2025
“Bhai batting toh bhot achi kari Maza aaya, bss fielding aur bowling pe thoda aur dhyan do.”
Please embed this link: Rajeev Shukla posted,
Sometimes it happens. Despite of lead in first inning we lost the match. Bad luck! Don’t get disappointed @ShubmanGill there are still four matches to go. @BCCI
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) June 24, 2025
“Sometimes it happens. Despite the lead in the first inning we lost the match. Bad luck! Don’t get disappointed @ShubmanGill there are still four matches to go. @BCCI”
Many still rallied behind Shubman Gill’s captaincy, saying that every leader deserves room to grow, especially on debut.
The online buzz reflected a mix of hope and concern. And in Indian cricket, that balance can shift very quickly.
[UPDATE] Room to Grow But Lessons Learned
There were glimpses of strong tactical thinking from Gill. He turned to Jadeja when others were leaking runs, and his bowling changes mostly made sense. Still, his field placements showed some inexperience. As he was too reactive and sometimes over-adjusted.
This part of Shubman Gill’s captaincy needs time. He was constantly moving fielders around, even by small margins, trying to find control. While attention to detail is good, it can also confuse the team when it’s overdone.
To his credit, Gill listened to senior players and remained calm. That’s a good sign of a captain still finding his feet.
My Personal Take
The debut match gave us a preview of what Shubman Gill’s captaincy might look like going forward — composed, tactical, but still evolving. He handled pressure with calm dignity, fumbled on the field, and inspired with the bat.
It’s critical to keep in mind that this is only the start. Shubman Gill will develop as a captain when new games, scenarios, and lessons are added.
“It’s like putting someone in the deep sea,” as Gautam Gambhir once described it. Gill is now able to swim. It’s time to learn how to steer.
The post Shubman Gill as Captain: A Test of Patience and a Glimpse of Hope appeared first on JeetWin Blog.
