Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami believes that Shubman Gill has taken on the captaincy role a bit prematurely, just before the Gujarat Titans’ first game against Mumbai Indians in the 2024 IPL season on Sunday. Shami, who will not be playing in the tournament due to an injury, also cautioned Shubman Gill about not letting the leadership burden weigh him down too heavily.
Had to take the responsibility one day- Mohammed Shami on Shubman Gill
Following all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s surprising transfer to Mumbai Indians, the Titans have named the young talent as their new captain. At 24, he has not yet had the opportunity to captain an IPL team, yet he is seen as a highly promising candidate for the role. In a conversation with Cricbuzz, Shami mentioned that taking on the responsibility was inevitable at some point. He said,
“As you said (the anchor suggested that captaincy came early for Gill), the captaincy came early, and he wouldn’t have expected it; I feel the same. But you had to take the responsibility one day. You have been performing well in past seasons and producing good performances in international cricket, too,”
The 33-year-old recommended to the right-handed batsman to maintain composure and concentrate solely on finding the optimal way to balance the team. He expressed,
“You don’t have to take too much load over the captaincy, just be normal and have patience. The more you stay calm, the better it will be. You have the responsibility now; you can’t say no. Just focus on your skills and how you can balance your team,”
The batter from Punjab emerged as the top scorer in the IPL 2023, amassing 890 runs that included three centuries. He also boasted a strike rate of 157.80. Despite Shubman Gill’s impressive performance, the Titans fell short in the final, missing the chance to secure their second consecutive title.
I can’t wait to experience this IPL season with all of you- Shubman Gill’s message to Gujarat fans
In a recent video shared by the official social media accounts of the Titans, Shubman Gill addressed the fans, expressing his hope to make the 2024 season another thrilling one. He stated,
“As your captain, I can’t wait to experience this IPL season with all of you. We have had two remarkable seasons with everyone giving it their all. You from the stands, us on the ground. As we start this new season, a new beginning. I assure you that the GT way remains the same. We believe in our group and we will do it for you. Come, together let’s make another memorable season,”
The Titans have been the most successful team since their inception into the marquee tournament making consecutive final appearances and winning the trophy once in 2022.