“It Gets Very Frustrating”: Shubman Gill Reflects on the Steep Learning Curve of Captaincy
COLOMBO – For Shubman Gill, the recent tour of Sri Lanka served as more than just a successful series campaign; it was a rigorous masterclass in the complexities of leadership. As the Indian side prepares to depart, the young captain is coming to terms with the unique pressures that accompany the armband, particularly after a tense draw in Colombo where victory narrowly eluded his grasp.
While India secured the series and the trophy, the final fixture in Colombo exposed the tactical frustrations inherent in international red-ball cricket. Despite the team being in a dominant position, a stubborn resistance from Sri Lanka’s lower order—led by Sonal Dinusha—denied India the win, a result that proved costly in terms of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
The Weight of Decision-Making
Reflecting on the challenges of the role, Gill admitted that the scrutiny following a match can be taxing. When asked about his tactical choices, particularly regarding the follow-on, the skipper emphasized the importance of trusting his instincts in the heat of the moment.
“It gets very frustrating,” Gill conceded. “You go back and ask, ‘Was the follow-on the best decision?’ But you have to return to the moment and ask yourself if you made the best call at that time. If the answer is yes, you can’t dwell on it. You have to keep trying your best.”
The Colombo Test was a visual representation of this struggle. Television cameras caught the captain in deep consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir, his hands often on his hips as he navigated the frustration of seeing his bowlers toil on a pitch that offered little assistance for dismissals.
Defending the Effort
Despite the inability to force a result in the final Test, Gill was quick to shield his squad from criticism. He praised their intensity, noting that his bowlers operated under grueling conditions for three straight days.
“The spinners bowled 50-60 overs on the trot… I would give them 10 out of 10 for effort and intent,” Gill stated. He acknowledged that while tactical plans don’t always yield the desired outcome, the team’s commitment remained absolute.
The captain also addressed the tactical “in-and-out” field settings that defined the match. With the pitch offering slow turn, LBWs and bowled dismissals were nearly impossible to induce, forcing Gill to rely on protective fields to prevent easy runs while hoping for a lapse in concentration from the batters.
The Ultimate Goal: WTC Final
Looking ahead, the World Test Championship remains the singular focus for the Indian side. Despite the dropped points in Colombo, Gill remains optimistic about India’s trajectory.
He highlighted the consistency of the batting lineup, which has been successful in posting totals in the 350-400 run range, as the bedrock of his confidence. “If we put up runs… we’re always in the game. We’ve got bowlers who can take 20 wickets,” he asserted.
With a series against New Zealand on the horizon and the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia looming early next year, Gill believes that if India can maintain its current form, they remain well-positioned to qualify for the championship final. For now, the team will turn their attention to recovery, ready to recalibrate before the next chapter of their international campaign.
