The former pacer of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Shivam Mavi, who played four seasons in the Indian Premier League (IPL) till 2022 and has picked up 30 wickets in 32 innings at an economy rate of under nine at an average of 31.40, has reflected on the leadership of the current Test and ODI captain of India, Shubman Gill.

Shubman Gill was recently appointed the ODI captain of the Blue Brigade ahead of the three-match series against Australia away from home, before he missed the home South Africa series. Mavi has highlighted how Gill displayed superb captaincy in the longest format.

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“We (me and Shubman Gill) are still friends. So, Shubman has been a very smart captain. First time going to England as a Test captain of the Indian team, and being behind by a 2-1 margin and then making a comeback in the series has always been very difficult in those conditions. I actually have a very good relationship with him from the Under-19 days.” Mavi expressed in a video.

Shivam Mavi praises Shubman Gill’s leadership in viral video

Gill became the Test captain of the national side ahead of the UK tour, where he drew it 2-2 before winning the home series against West Indies by 2-0. In his absence, where Gill was ruled out of the first Test in Kolkata, India lost the South Africa series by a 0-2 margin.

Watch the video here: 

🚨 Shivam Mavi on Shubman Gill's leadership qualities. pic.twitter.com/C221io6Vl0

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“When I played my second Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2019, when the practice game was played for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Shubman was made the captain of one of the sides. So, that was where he rotated the bowlers beautifully, and that gave a good signal of how to use the resources. So, he ended up winning the game.” Mavi shed light.

“That was when it could be understood that he was of captain material. But yeah, obviously, the BCCI tested him for another four to five years when he led the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, and then only was he appointed as the captain. He uses his brain so much in captaincy, and that will only help India in the future.” The Uttar Pradesh-born concluded.