England v India: Shubman Gill’s defiance in fourth Test draw in Manchester could be making of new captain
Gill now has 722 runs in this series with four centuries.
Only Graeme and Steve Smith, of South Africa and Australia, have scored more than 700 runs in a series against England in the UK this century.
Protea Smith was another young captain when he dominated the summer of 2003. His run-haul set him on the way to being one of the great leaders of the modern era, but he already looked a grizzled leader when taking the reins at 22.
Gill, in contrast, is softly spoken.
Where his first captain Kohli held court with an aura the size of his social media following, Gill answers questions with a disarming smile.
Still, when India needed their captain to front up this week – with the bat and when Ben Stokes offered his hand for the draw with 15 overs to go – Gill did so, just as Kohli would have before.
It would have been easy for Gill to accept Stokes’ offer when England’s captain looked to the dressing room. Worse would have been to shrug and put the pressure on to inexperienced team-mate Washington Sundar, who stood 20 runs short of a maiden Test century.
Gill held firm – a stern look before his smile returned soon after.
This was typical Gill and those in the ranks remember when their leaders front the resistance.
This is not to say Gill has been perfect in his first four matches in charge.
Not bowling Sundar until the 69th over of England’s first innings was a clear tactical mistake. There have been strange selections too.
In a country of 1.4bn, medium pacer Anshul Kamboj cannot be the best option to take the new ball in England, while the series finale begins on Thursday with Kuldeep, the best spinner on either side, yet to make an appearance.
This is where he needs Gambhir’s assistance.
The former India opener is Gill’s antithesis.
Combative and scowling, a news conference after a semi-final win in the Champions Trophy in March became a 20-minute argument. Another after the first Test at Headingley was similar. Gambhir could be The Spiky One.
Captain and coach do not have to come from the same pod, a la Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott failed at the head of England’s white-ball team because they were both playing the good cop.
But if Gambhir is willing and able to plug the gaps, Gill has shown he has both the personality and batting prowess to take this side forward.
Kohli’s aggressive approach gave this generation an edge and athleticism that remains long after he has gone. With his softer nature, and the ability to light a fire when needed, Gill can be the ideal captain for this latest generation.
The words United’s iconic former manager Sir Alex Ferguson once (almost) said half a mile up Sir Matt Busby Way now apply to India.
“Your job is to stand by your new captain.”
This week in Manchester could be the making of India’s new skipper.