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Ahead of the fourth Test match against England, World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has advised the current India captain, Shubman Gill, to draw inspiration from the leadership style of former captain MS Dhoni. Kirsten believes that adopting certain qualities demonstrated by Dhoni could benefit Gill as he leads the team in this crucial stage of the series.
Gill assumed the Test captaincy following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. However, Gill's tenure as captain has experienced a mixed start, with India currently behind 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Despite this, Gill has showcased exceptional batting prowess, scoring 607 runs in just three matches, although there's an expectation for him to take greater command as the team's leader.
Gary Kirsten wants Shubman Gill to learn man management from MS Dhoni
Former India's head coach also emphasised that for Gill to thrive as India's captain and develop into a true leader akin to MS Dhoni, he needs to focus on becoming an effective "man manager". This suggests that building strong relationships within the team and understanding individual player dynamics will be crucial for Gill's success in the leadership role.
"Well, it's early days. I think he's got great potential. Captaincy is a whole lot of things that you've got to put together. He's a great thinker in the game. He's a good player himself. But there's a whole bunch of things you've got to get right. And I think man management is going to play, like any leader," Kirsten said in an interview with Rediff.com.
"Dhoni was an incredible man-manager. If he can get that component of his leadership really fired up, I think he has all the credentials to become a great captain for India," he further added.
Meanwhile, former India head coach Greg Chappell has also weighed in on Gill's captaincy, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming Test match at Old Trafford against England. Chappell believes this particular game will serve as the most crucial examination of Gill's leadership during his tenure as India's captain. He further stated that for Gill to ensure the series remains competitive, it is essential for him to display composure and clarity in his decision-making and actions on the field.
"The Old Trafford Test is shaping to be the biggest examination yet for Gill - not just as a batter, but as a leader. He's learning on the job, but the timeline is not generous. He must bring composure, clarity, and confidence to a side that desperately needs it. And he must do it now. That doesn't mean he can't show emotion. In fact, his passion on the field at Lord's was good to see. But actions like getting into Zak Crawley's face over time-wasting only matter if they are backed up by the hard work done behind the scenes. A captain earns the right to be loud when he's already done the quiet work of planning, uniting, and inspiring his group," Chappell stated.
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