une 17 (Reuters) – Shubman Gill’s captaincy combines the fiery aggression of Virat Kohli with the calm composure of Rohit Sharma, but the young Indian skipper is poised to craft a leadership style all his own, says Jos Buttler. Appointed as India’s new Test captain in May, the 25-year-old batsman was chosen ahead of Jasprit Bumrah after Rohit Sharma stepped down. Gill, already vice-captain in white-ball formats and former IPL captain for Gujarat Titans, is no stranger to leadership responsibilities.
“He’s a really impressive young man with a strong on-field presence,” said Buttler on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast. “I think he’s a mix of Kohli’s intensity and Rohit’s calmness. Kohli brought aggressive energy to Indian cricket, while Rohit is more laid-back and composed. Shubman sits somewhere in between, learning from both but staying true to himself.” Buttler, who played under Gill in the IPL, emphasized the promise Gill shows not just as a player but also as a leader.
India will begin their five-match Test series against England at Headingley on Friday, and all eyes will be on Gill. “Kohli is the king, Shubman is the prince — that’s the story being told,” Buttler said. “It’s no small task to follow in the footsteps of legends like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar in the number four spot. But Gill is clearly the coming man, and this series could be his defining moment.”
