Gill's leadership traits promising, should stick to No.3, say experts

The new India Test skipper plunges into the tough task of facing England on the road, in the series starting on Friday

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

MUMBAI: Since his junior cricket days, Shubman Gill has been accustomed to the spotlight. Still, nothing would have prepared him for the hype he is going to deal with as India's Test captain. It only gets bigger when your first series is in England.

Every move Gill makes in the five-Test series starting on Friday will be scrutinized. It starts with what number he will bat at - 3 or 4? Given the importance of his batting, India need their new captain to be at his best, and the think tank thus needs to get this absolutely right. Having runs behind him will boost confidence, gain his teammates' respect, and help win over the dressing room.

Having started his Test career as an opener, Gill has settled down at No.3 but the retirement of long-time No.4 Virat Kohli has led to speculation whether the Punjab batter must take up that role.

The Indian team management hasn't announced the No.4 for the first Test at Leeds, but making Gill shift may not be a wise move. For someone who already has so much on his plate, one more challenge is best avoided. His game is more suited to No.3. A naturally attacking player, he is more in the Ricky Ponting mould, who excelled at No.3 with a dominating approach. Having batted at No.3 in 30 of his 59 innings, scoring 1,019 runs at a strike rate of 61.53, Gill has understood the requirements of the role better.

"There is going to be a lot of responsibility. It's not easy. It's going to be tough - a 5-Test series straight up. He should first focus on his batting. If he scores runs, captaincy will come easy," says Kiran More, former India chief selector and wicketkeeper.