Following India’s defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley, where England successfully chased a target of 371, Shubman Gill’s captaincy faced scrutiny. Many cricket analysts questioned his leadership skills. Former India pacer Irfan Pathan has come to Gill’s defense, urging patience and highlighting the challenges inherent in a captain’s role. Pathan emphasized that Gill needs time to adapt to the captaincy and establish himself. He noted that Gill is captaining a team in transition, lacking key players like Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Pathan also pointed out the difficulties of captaining in a tough tour like England, where mistakes are common in Test matches. He believes Gill’s authority will develop over time, and his recent century will boost his confidence and allow him to make decisive choices. The second Test between India and England is scheduled to begin on July 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
