Former England spinner Monty Panesar has questioned Shubman Gill’s readiness to captain India in all formats, saying the young batter lacks the intensity needed for such a demanding role.
Speaking to ANI, Panesar praised Gill’s talent but criticised his mindset under pressure. “He is a complacent cricketer. He has a lot of talent, but he starts playing lazy shots in the game,” Panesar said.
Comparing him with Virat Kohli, he added, “Virat Kohli's intensity and aggression are evident in all formats. Shubman Gill can't do that. It's too much of a burden for him. He can't be the captain of all formats.”
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India’s Test struggles, Kohli’s absence
Panesar’s comments come at a time when India’s Test team is going through a tough phase under head coach Gautam Gambhir. India suffered two whitewash defeats in red-ball cricket, a 3-0 loss to New Zealand and a 2-0 defeat in South Africa.
While backing Gambhir’s success in white-ball cricket, Panesar said the coach is still adjusting to the demands of Tests. “Gautam Gambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful,” he said, suggesting that exposure to domestic red-ball structures could help.
Panesar also linked India’s Test decline to the absence of senior players, especially Virat Kohli. “Right now, the Indian team is weak in Test cricket. That is the reality,” he said. “When three big players retire, it becomes difficult to keep the rest ready. It takes time.”
He added, “In white-ball cricket, you don't miss Virat Kohli that much. But in Test cricket, it's obvious he is not there. The intensity is lower.”
Test cricket vs T20 focus
According to Panesar, India’s younger players are not fully prepared for Test cricket due to the growing focus on shorter formats. “Indian players are not ready for Test cricket,” he said, pointing to the gap between Ranji Trophy cricket and the national Test side.
He also highlighted how financial rewards have shifted priorities. “The boys want to play in the IPL, earn big contracts and play T20Is and ODIs,” Panesar said, adding that Test cricket demands patience and hard work. “The Ranji Trophy system is weak at the moment. India will need patience to make a proper comeback in Test cricket.”
Meanwhile, as per a Sportstar report, Shubman Gill is set to play for Punjab in their fifth and sixth group-stage matches of the tournament. He is expected to feature against Sikkim on January 3 and Goa on January 6, with both matches scheduled in Jaipur.
