Shubman Gill will lead a young Indian team in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, starting with the opener on Saturday, July 6. With Indian captain Rohit Sharma announcing his retirement from T20I after the World Cup final, and vice-captain Hardik Pandya rested for the tour, the selectors showed faith in Gill to lead a second-string team. After Rohit’s retirement, there was a debate over India’s next T20I captain. Many believe that Hardik, having previously led the team in Rohit’s absence, is likely to take over the role.
Sharing his views on the same, former India batsman and wicketkeeper Saba Karim suggested that it is too early for the selectors to consider Gill for the role, adding that it is highly likely that Hardik will take over the reins.
“Potential yes, but at this stage I think it is too early for the selectors to decide who could be captain in the coming years. There are several hopefuls, Hardik Pandya is now the vice-captain and I think with Rohit gone, it is more obvious that Pandya will take the reins,” Karim told Sports Now.
“But yes, I think the Indian selectors have always looked at Shubman Gill as an all-format player and feel he has the leadership skills required to take the team forward, that’s why this Zimbabwe series will be quite exciting for Gill , not as a batsman, but also as a captain”, he added.
On the eve of the first T20I against Zimbabwe, Gill confirmed that Abhishek Sharma will make his debut in the series opener, revealing that the left-hander will open the innings with him while Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at no. 3.
“Abhishek Sharma will open with me and Ruturaj Gaikwad will play at number three,” Gill said in the pre-match press conference.
The series against Zimbabwe will mark Gill’s debut as Indian captain. Gill believes he learned many lessons in his debut as captain in the cash-rich league.
“Lots of lessons. When I captained my IPL team for the first time, I got to know a lot more things about myself and a lot more things from a leadership perspective. And I felt most of the challenges you face as a captain are more mental,” he added .
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