Mohammad Kaif really liked how Shubman Gill led the Indian team. Kaif thinks Gill is smarter than England’s captain Ben Stokes. This sounds surprising because India actually lost the game by five wickets.
IND vs ENG 2025 series began badly for India at Headingley Stadium. England won the first match even though India fought hard. Gill was leading India for the very first time in this series.
Gill’s Smart Leadership Decisions
Kaif highlighted how well Gill managed his star bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The new captain made smart bowling changes throughout the match. He used his best bowler at the right times during pressure situations.
“As a young captain, Gill did brilliantly by giving Bumrah 4-4 overs and rotating him well. He led better than Ben Stokes. Well done, thumbs up. Helpless captain because he was playing with one and a half bowlers”. Kaif said.
England chased down a big target of 371 runs to win the match. However, Kaif believes Gill’s tactics are better than his opponent’s strategies. The former Indian player praised Gill’s decision-making under tough pressure.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 2025: Captain Stokes Praises Openers for the Thrilling Run Chase in 1st Test
Outstanding Batting Performance
Gill scored an impressive 147 runs with his bat during the Test match. This big score silenced critics who questioned his form in English conditions. His batting showed he can perform well as both captain and player.
“I will praise him a lot because it was a big test for him in this series. It was important for him to score in England. Everyone said he doesn’t know how to play in England; [you] made him captain, but he hasn’t scored runs. But he passed the test with the bat, scored a century, and had excellent batting. Apart from captaincy, he showed he can deliver with the bat.”
The young captain proved he belongs at the international level. His century came at a crucial time when India needed runs badly. This performance boosted confidence in his leadership abilities among cricket fans.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 2025: ‘Think Twice…’, Ravi Shastri’s Strategic Warning to Gambhir, Gill on Bumrah
Gill led the team with limited bowling options in this match. Kaif feels sorry for Gill because only Bumrah bowled really well. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna could not help their captain much. This made Gill’s job much harder during the match.
Learning from the Defeat
After the match ended, Gill expressed disappointment about India’s bowling performance. He admitted the team could not build a bigger lead before declaring. The captain acknowledged that his bowlers tried hard but struggled ultimately.
IND vs ENG 2025 series continues with India trailing 1-0 in the five-match contest. Gill faces the challenge of bouncing back from this early setback. Cricket experts believe this experience will make him a stronger leader.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 2025: Rishabh Pant Faces ICC Action Over Controversial Umpire Clash in Headingley Test
The conversation about Gill’s captaincy potential grows stronger after this debut performance. Many former players support his appointment as the new Indian captain. His smart decisions and fighting spirit impressed cricket followers across the country.
