The hunt is on for India’s new Test captain. Reports suggest Shubman Gill is leading the pack. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the team for the England tour soon, along with the new Test captain. Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has some advice for head coach Gautam Gambhir: if Gill gets the top job, don’t coddle him.
Gambhir has already shown his support for Gill. Sidhu, discussing this on his YouTube channel, said, “I’m a fan of Gill’s game, but as a batsman. If you want to make him Test captain, have him open or bat at number three. After that, no need to protect him too much.”
Sidhu added, “Then you’ll see how Gill captains. Invest a year in him, have him open. Don’t make him prove himself again like Virat Kohli. You can’t do that, it’s wrong.”
So, what should Team India look like? Sidhu believes a good player and captain don’t need protection. He said, “On the Australian tour, Sarfaraz Khan went, I’d play Shreyas Iyer. If you don’t want Iyer, bring in Karun Nair.” This cricket legend suggests KL Rahul should bat at number four, a spot previously occupied by Kohli.
As for Gill, Sidhu thinks he should be given a chance to lead without being shielded. The BCCI’s decision is eagerly awaited.