Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has urged Shubman Gill to put his foot down to show his authority while leading the ODI team against the West Indies. Karthik reckons the current team looks like chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s side.
The former gloveman said Gill will earn his respect within the dressing room if he imparts his identity. Gill has thus far led India in 12 ODI matches, winning six and losing as many. The Men in Blue suffered a 2-1 series loss against England in the last series.
Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as a chief selector is all set to end on October 4 and the former pacer is not expected to continue in his role.
“I feel that he has inherited this team as a captain. In fact, it has been thrust upon him; it’s like in a family, the elder son is thrust into some things. It was more of Rohit Sharma’s way when it started, but I feel this is Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir’s team more than Shubman Gill’s team up until today. We are hearing that Ajit Agarkar probably won’t be around as a selector anymore, so it almost becomes Gautam Gambhir’s team. But Shubman Gill has to put his foot down at times and form a strong partnership, and that is when he will get respect within the team,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“I do feel it is a stage where he is a good batter, people respect him for that. He has shown a good value system as captain as well; he did well in England as a Test captain. He has done well for Gujarat Titans. Now it is his time and turn to show the same sort of courage and attitude to lead this Indian team forward,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane said Gill needs to show his authority as a leader.
“Sure, he is a young captain and does not have much experience, but he has to take charge now. We can say that he has not led the team in many games, but only a year is left for the World Cup now. He has to take charge of what brand of cricket he wishes to see from his team. We have to set aside the fact that he is a young and inexperienced captain. He has to take authority now through communication with the head coach; I think he has to show that authority as captain,” Ajinkya Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
West Indies have posted 295-7 on the board after Gill decided to bowl first in the opening ODI on Sunday.
