Ashwin praised Shubman Gill composure during press conferences, noting that he has stayed true to his natural personality while leading the team.
Ashwin Applauds Shubman Gill’s Natural Leadership and Composure
Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Shubman Gill for staying true to himself during media interactions, saying the young captain isn’t putting on an act but simply being his natural self. Gill recently took over India’s Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma and, after a shaky start at Headingley, secured his first win as skipper at Edgbaston.
Despite the pressure of filling Virat Kohli’s shoes at No. 4 and leading the team at just 25, Gill has shown remarkable calmness. His composed responses and measured tone during press conferences have impressed many, including Ashwin.
“Shubman has a natural flair,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “I watched his press conference and immediately noticed he’s not putting on a show. He’s speaking like himself and leading the team with his own instincts and skills.”
Ashwin pointed out that captains often face tough media scrutiny, especially on overseas tours, where the media tries to unsettle them to weaken the entire team. “If you bring the captain down, the team can fall like nine pins,” he noted.
He further explained that while many players are trained on how to handle the press, Gill appears different. “Don’t take it the wrong way, but a lot of players are coached on what to say. That doesn’t seem to apply to Gill. He speaks with honesty and confidence — like someone who truly believes in what he’s doing.”
Shubman Gill shuts critics in England
Shubman Gill was under pressure going into the England Test series due to his modest overseas red-ball record. However, he has quickly turned that narrative around with two standout performances in just as many matches.
Shubman Gill kicked off the series with a composed 147 at Headingley, showing maturity and control at the crease. He followed that up with a monumental innings at Edgbaston, where he scored a brilliant 269 in the first innings—his maiden Test double century. With that knock, he became only the third Indian to score a Test double hundred in England, and notably, the first Indian captain to do so on English soil.
He didn’t stop there. In the second innings, Gill added another commanding 161, solidifying his place as a rising force in Indian Test cricket and putting to rest any doubts about his ability to perform in challenging overseas conditions.