Shubman Gill will be leading the IPL 2022 champions and 2023 runners-up this season. With everyone speculating Kane Williamson to be next in line ,Gujarat Titans spun in the surprise to go with Indian sensation new age superstar Shubman Gill as captain for the 2024 season. Shubman Gill doesn’t have much experience of leading side.
Even before the hammer in the IPL auction of 2023 went down this time, the recently formed successful Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise created news during the trade window itself as the Ahmedabad based franchise had to let go of their most successive captain Hardik Pandya who returned to his previous franchise Mumbai Indians.
Shubman Gill’s experience as captain and his elevation to GT captainship for IPL 2024
Gujarat Titans (GT) right from its formative year 2022 is believed in structuring a core team under the able management led by the likes of Ashish Nehra & Gary Kirsten.This formation of team based on process and nurturing young talents to shape them for their future struck striking resemblance with the likes of most successful IPL teams Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) thus making them the most consistent team in the IPL history since 2021 where they won the title in the 1st year of their formation only to continue in the next one.
Shubman Gill’s elevation to captaincy could be a reward for his brilliant outing int the IPL last time out. He was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2023, scoring 890 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 157.80, including three tons and four half-centuries. He has big shoes to fill since Pandya led to franchise to two consecutive IPL finals, including a maiden title during their inaugural (2022) season.
Shubman Gill emerged as a key performer for the Gujarat Titans, after he was roped in by the team in the IPL 2022 auction. The batter has already scored 1373 runs at a strike rate of 147.79 in the last two seasons for the franchise. He had a dream season in IPL 2023 as he won the orange cap by scoring 890 runs in 16 matches.
On the back of his stellar performances, the management entrusted him for the leadership role. However, he has led the teams at domestic level only by captaining in Duleep and Deodhar trophies a few years back. He captained Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the 2019-2020 season and successfully led India A during their tour to New Zealand in 2020.
Former Australian cricketer, Tom Moody cautioned Shubman Gill ahead of his new stint as the captain of the Gujarat Titans. Gill will be leading the IPL 2022 champions and 2023 runners-up this season.
Shubman Gill may have captained at a lower level but…- Tom Moody’s unique take on the batting sensation
Former Australian cricketer, Tom Moody cautioned Shubman Gill ahead of his new stint as the captain of the Gujarat Titans. Gill will be leading the IPL 2022 champions and 2023 runners-up this season.
Gill’s announcement as GT’s captain came after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. Moody questioned whether Gill would be able to carry on the rich legacy created by Hardik in his 2-year-long stint. He also acknowledged the lack of experience for Gill in terms of captaining a champion side.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo , Tom Moody pondered whether Shubman Gill can create an similar impact to that of Hardik Pandya for Gujarat Titans (GT).
“For Shubman Gill, it is the unknown. He may have captained at a lower level but this is a different story, the IPL. And following a very successful two years for Gujarat Titans, he is stepping up to the plate after Hardik Pandya had such an impact as a leader, can he follow in those footsteps or can he create his own?” said Moody.
Shubman Gill was the Orange Cap winner last season, scoring 890 runs in 17 games at an average of almost 60 and a strike rate of 157.80.The 24-year-old has been integral to GT’s incredible run over the last two seasons under Hardik Pandya, where they clinched the title in 2022 and finished runner-up last year.
It would be rather interesting to see whether Gujarat Titans team under the leadership of young Shubman Gill and Coach Ashish Nehra keeps up its expectation of being the most impressive franchise despite leaving their most successive captain Hardik Pandya in the upcoming IPL season.