The making of Shubman Gill the Test captain, through the eyes of coaches and a trainer
When Shubman Gill was named India’s Test captain, it wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a defining moment for Indian cricket. At just 25, Gill has become the face of a new generation: calm, confident, and relentlessly disciplined. But behind the composed exterior and elegant cover drives lies a journey shaped by the quiet determination of a young boy from Fazilka, Punjab, and the mentors who molded him along the way.
Early Promise: The Roots in Punjab
Long before Gill wore the Indian jersey, his father, Lakhwinder Singh Gill, a keen observer of the game, recognized his son’s hunger and skill. Shubman was just three years old when he started showing an unusual interest in cricket. By the time he turned seven, his backyard practice had turned serious — throwdowns with a leather ball, daily drills, and hours spent mastering the basics.
Gill’s first coach at the district level, Gursharan Singh, recalls, “He had a natural rhythm to his batting. His balance, even at 13, was something you’d see in a professional.” His coaches often noticed how Gill observed everything silently — opponents, field placements, even umpiring patterns. That quiet analysis would later shape his captaincy style.
Mental Strength and Routine: Trainer’s View
Leadership isn’t just about strategy; it’s about resilience — physical and mental. Gill’s fitness trainer from his India A days shares a revealing detail: “He never skipped warm-ups, even when it was a net-only day. If you told him recovery mattered more than hitting balls, he’d listen and follow it exactly.”
This commitment to preparation made him stand out. He knew leadership wouldn’t come from being vocal alone; it had to be earned through example. Whether it was maintaining a clean diet or pushing himself during grueling Yo-Yo tests, Gill never looked for shortcuts. His ability to stay grounded — even after headlines, centuries, and IPL stardom — impressed everyone in the backroom staff.
The U19 World Cup and the Rahul Dravid Influence
The 2018 U19 World Cup was Shubman Gill’s real breakout, but more than the 372 runs he scored, it was the way he carried himself under pressure that left an impression. Rahul Dravid, then coach of the U19 squad, played a critical role in shaping Gill’s temperament.
Dravid’s approach to leadership — steady, patient, and selfless — resonated deeply with Gill. “He taught us to think about the team first, to read the game like a story unfolding,” Gill later said in an interview. That influence is now evident in the way he makes decisions on the field — calculated, never rash, and always with the bigger picture in mind.
Lessons from the IPL: Captains in the Dressing Room
Shubman’s IPL career with Kolkata Knight Riders and then Gujarat Titans brought him under the mentorship of some of the sharpest minds in cricket. Playing alongside and under the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, Kane Williamson, and Hardik Pandya gave him a crash course in real-time leadership.
He didn’t just learn tactics; he absorbed the subtle nuances of team management — when to back a struggling bowler, how to rotate strike under pressure, how to speak to players in different emotional states. “He doesn’t talk much, but when he does, everyone listens,” said a teammate during the Gujarat Titans campaign.
Domestic Circuit to National Dressing Room: Observing and Evolving
In domestic cricket, captains are often required to wear many hats — leader, motivator, and crisis manager. Gill’s stints with Punjab in the Ranji Trophy and India A were vital in developing his game-reading skills. Coaches noted how he would spend time with bowlers after stints, not just to appreciate but to understand — “What worked?” “Where can we create pressure?”
His calm under fire came to the fore during a domestic game where his team was collapsing under scoreboard pressure. Gill held one end, marshaled the tail, and secured a draw that felt like a win. That innings, not televised or widely written about, became a turning point for many selectors who saw leadership potential.
Gill the Captain: Silent Strategist, Natural Leader
Now, as India’s Test captain, Gill’s personality shapes his leadership style. He isn’t a showman. He doesn’t celebrate wickets with elaborate gestures or yell instructions across the field. Instead, he places faith in his bowlers, speaks between overs, and makes changes that reflect trust and clarity.
His captaincy debut saw bold decisions — using spinners early, setting unconventional fields, and promoting younger players to take responsibility. He has inherited a side in transition but carries himself with the ease of someone who knows the road ahead will be bumpy — and is ready for it.
Challenges Ahead: Legacy, Expectations, and Growth
Captaining India is one of the toughest jobs in world cricket. From comparisons with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to dealing with media scrutiny, Gill has his work cut out. But if his past is any indication, he’s built for the long haul.
His real test will come in tight overseas tours, handling senior players, and keeping his batting form intact. But he has the temperament, the fitness, and more importantly, the belief of those who watched him grow.
Conclusion: A Captain Crafted, Not Born
Shubman Gill’s story is not of overnight transformation. It’s a tale of thousands of hours of nets, quiet learning, and observing greats up close. His journey from a cricket-obsessed kid in Punjab to India’s Test captain is a reflection of what modern leadership looks like — measured, prepared, and rooted in humility.
As the coaches and trainers who shaped him will tell you, Shubman never chased captaincy. But now that it’s his, he’s ready to own it — one calm decision at a time.
