Indian cricket has witnessed a major transformation over the past month. The men’s team reclaimed T20 World Cup glory after a 17-year hiatus, and this victory was soon followed by a significant coaching change in the country’s cricketing landscape. The tour of Sri Lanka signifies a new chapter for India under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching, marking both a fresh era and a new leadership dynamic. While Hardik Pandya was initially considered a frontrunner for the leadership role after Rohit Sharma’s departure, Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as the surprising choice for T20I captain, with Shubman Gill stepping in as the unexpected deputy for both white-ball formats.
Gill’s promotion to the leadership role comes on the back of his recent stint as stand-in captain during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, where he led a mostly fringe squad in T20Is. Despite the shake-up in the coaching staff, Gill asserts that the core principles of the team remain unchanged. “Communication has been consistent, just as it used to be,” Gill stated at a press conference before the T20I series. “We’re the World Champions, and our goal is to continue with the same approach. Hopefully, we’ll achieve even greater success with the new coach and support staff.”
While Gill shares an IPL connection with his new coach Gambhir through KKR, they never overlapped at the franchise. Gambhir departed before the 2018 season, and Gill joined KKR that year, staying until 2021 before moving to Gujarat Titans. Gambhir made his return to KKR ahead of the 2024 season, during which the team went on to win the championship.
Although it’s early days under Gambhir’s guidance, Gill has spoken positively about his new coach. “We’ve only had two net sessions with Gambhir, and this is my first time working with him. His intent and communication have been clear; he knows what he expects from each player. The mindset of Suryakumar and Gambhir aligns well. I played under Surya Bhai in South Africa too. Their understanding is similar, and I believe you’ll see the impact on the field.”
Gill also praised assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, with whom he shares a strong KKR connection. Nayar, who has long been the franchise’s batting coach, stands out for his dedication. “Nayar is incredibly hardworking, staying on the field until players are satisfied with their progress. That is his biggest strength.”
The past 12-18 months have been a whirlwind for Gill in T20 cricket. The 24-year-old topped the run charts in the 2023 IPL season with a staggering 890 runs at an average of 59 and a strike rate close to 158. However, his T20I performances were less consistent, though he did score a century and a fifty in 14 matches before the World Cup. Not making it to the World Cup squad was a learning experience for Gill. “Regarding World Cup selection, my T20I performances before that were below my expectations. Moving forward, with about 30-40 games in this cycle, my focus is on improving my performance.”
Gill’s captaincy in the Zimbabwe series received praise, but his batting faced mixed reactions. Despite scoring two half-centuries, his strike rate was lower compared to players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Nevertheless, Gill views the competition as a positive sign for the team. With vice-captaincy across white-ball formats now added to his responsibilities, the expectations on Gill are higher. “As a batsman, my role doesn’t change much. I still need to perform and win matches for my team and country. On the field, however, I have to make more decisions, which is the main difference.”
Gill’s opening partner for T20Is is expected to be Jaiswal, with whom he has a strong opening pair record. In their eight innings together, they’ve scored two century stands and a fifty partnership, placing them fourth among India’s most successful opening pairs in T20Is. Gill believes their success stems from their strong chemistry. “We really enjoy batting together. Our playing styles complement each other well, and our rightie-leftie combination is advantageous. We’ve had many successful partnerships in the limited games we’ve opened together. Our clarity and understanding make it a lot of fun.”