“Amit Mishra Addresses Allegations of Rahul Dravid’s Favouritism in Shubman Gill’s India Captaincy Appointment”
Amit Mishra Criticizes Management for Appointing Shubman Gill as T20I Captain
Veteran Indian spinner Amit Mishra has voiced his strong disapproval of the decision to make Shubman Gill the captain of the T20I team. In a recent appearance on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast on YouTube, Mishra openly questioned the management’s choice, suggesting that Gill lacks the necessary leadership qualities.
Mishra, who has always been candid about his opinions, didn’t hold back during the podcast. He discussed various contentious issues in Indian cricket, including the KL Rahul-Sanjeev Goenka incident and the Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir altercation. However, his comments on Gill’s elevation to captaincy for the T20I series against Zimbabwe were particularly striking.
“I wouldn’t have made Shubman the captain,” Mishra said. “I watched him during the IPL, and he doesn’t seem to have a grasp on how to lead a team. He appears clueless about captaincy.”
Mishra argued that Gill’s performance in the IPL and the Indian team should not automatically qualify him for a leadership role. While acknowledging Gill’s success in recent seasons, Mishra stressed that the young batter’s leadership during his stint with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL did not inspire confidence.
“The Indian team might have made him captain to give him leadership experience, but it wasn’t evident when he led the Gujarat Titans,” he added.
When discussing alternative captaincy options, Mishra named Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, and Ruturaj Gaikwad as more suitable candidates. He highlighted Gaikwad’s consistent performance in challenging situations for the Chennai Super Kings and during the Asian Games.
“Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are all capable of leading India in T20Is. Right now, the BCCI is evaluating all options,” Mishra said.
On the question of whether Rahul Dravid’s favoritism played a role in Gill’s appointment, Mishra responded diplomatically. “Everyone has some preferences. I’m not a Shubman Gill hater; I like him too. But I believe Ruturaj is a better option because he has delivered in tougher situations.”
Mishra also praised Gaikwad for his ability to perform across all formats – T20Is, ODIs, and Tests. He emphasized the importance of a captain who brings calmness to the team and avoids taking unnecessary risks.
“He is someone who can deliver in all formats. The most important thing is who brings calmness to the team. He should also consider hiring a good manager for social media PR,” Mishra suggested.
In conclusion, Amit Mishra’s candid remarks have added fuel to the ongoing debate about Shubman Gill’s suitability as a captain. While the management’s decision aims to provide Gill with leadership experience, seasoned players like Mishra believe that other options might better serve the team’s interests.
