Leadership weight too heavy for Gill, says Panesar
As India continues to navigate its post-Kohli era in red-ball cricket, Shubman Gill has emerged as a central figure — both as a top-order batter and a potential leader. But not everyone is convinced he’s ready to handle the pressure that comes with leading across all formats.
Speaking to ANI, Monty Panesar, the former England left-arm spinner, believes Gill’s game lacks the edge required for such a demanding role. Drawing a stark comparison to Virat Kohli’s high-octane intensity, Panesar questioned Gill’s mental application and consistency.
“He is a complacent cricketer. He has a lot of talent, but he starts playing lazy shots in the game. Virat Kohli’s intensity and aggression are evident in all formats. Shubhman Gill can’t do that. Too much burden for him. He can’t be the captain of all formats. It is too much for him,” Panesar told ANI.
Gill’s omission from India’s T20 World Cup squad, after an extended lean run in the format, has only amplified doubts over whether the 24-year-old is equipped to anchor India’s leadership transition.
Kohli’s absence felt most in Test cricket
While India has shown signs of adapting to life without Kohli in limited-overs formats, Panesar believes the Test side continues to miss the former skipper’s influence — particularly in terms of on-field energy and intensity.
“In white-ball format, you won’t miss Virat Kohli that much. But yes, in Test Cricket, it’s evident that Virat Kohli is not there, and the team’s intensity is lower,” he said.
India’s recent Test setbacks — a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand in 2024, followed by a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in November 2025 — have highlighted the widening gap between the team’s white-ball consistency and its struggles in red-ball cricket, particularly during a period of leadership transition.
Gambhir’s red-ball test is just beginning
Panesar was measured in his appraisal of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, crediting him for his achievements in white-ball formats but questioning his readiness for the rigours of Test cricket.
“Gautam Gambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful. He could become the Ranji Trophy coach, and he should talk to the coaches who have coached in the Ranji Trophy about how you build a team in red ball cricket,” Panesar added.
In his view, India’s recent struggles in the longest format are not just about one captain or coach, but the broader transition following the retirement of several senior players.
“Right now, the Indian team is weak in Test cricket. This is the reality. It’s not that strong. It will take time. When you retire three big players, it becomes difficult to keep the remaining players ready,” he noted.
Short-format obsession hurting India’s red-ball future
Beyond immediate results, Panesar warned of long-term structural issues plaguing Indian cricket — particularly the growing imbalance between formats. He pointed to the IPL’s financial draw and cultural dominance as a reason many younger players are less inclined to pursue the demands of four-day cricket.
“Indian players are not ready for Test Cricket. In India, players who perform well in T20 and ODI don’t perform well in Test Cricket,” Panesar said.
His concern extends to domestic development. According to him, the Ranji Trophy — India’s premier first-class competition — no longer provides a reliable pathway to Test cricket.
“The gap between Ranji Trophy and India’s Test team is significant. The Ranji Trophy system is also very weak. The boys just want to play in IPL. They want to get a big contract. They want to play in T20I and ODI. It takes a lot of hard work in 4-day cricket. That’s why they want to give less time,” he explained.
Panesar also connected the structural decline to financial realities that disincentivize red-ball excellence.
“They make more money in T20 cricket. They make less money in Test Cricket. But the reality is that the domestic cricket of the Ranji Trophy is very weak. It will take some time for India to make a comeback in Test cricket,” he added.
A reckoning for India’s Test roadmap
Panesar’s candid assessment comes at a time when Indian cricket is recalibrating its identity in the longest format. With icons like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara no longer regulars in the Test XI, the pressure on players like Shubman Gill to lead and perform is intensifying — perhaps prematurely.
