At 24, Shubman in elite club as he takes on IPI's captaincy curveball

There are lessons to be learnt from journeys of IPL captains who got the responsibility young

- Somshuvra Laha

Shubman Gill is living life in the fast lane. Player of the Tournament in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, youngest to score a first-class double hundred in 2019, repeating the feat in ODIs in 2023, less than two weeks of which he slammed a maiden T20I hundred as well. All this while stamping his class as Test opener—shepherding India to an epic win at Gabba with a gritty 91 in 2021—and unshackling his T20 potential, first at Kolkata Knight Riders and then at Gujarat Titans. And now he is captain, at only 24.

It has become apparent Gill wouldn’t have got the job had Hardik Pandya stayed back. Once Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians, a much more experienced Kane Williamson could have emerged as an alternative but his injury-prone recent past may have been a deterring factor, not to forget how it automatically locks up an overseas slot.

That said, the IPL has also long moved on from the practice of appointing only proven India stars or overseas icons as captains. Franchises are much more willing to bet on the younger, unproven lot.