Former India head coach Gary Kirsten has come out in support of Shubman Gill as India’s long-term captain in Test cricket. Gill was handed the reins following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, and while his tenure has started with highs and lows, he has impressed many with his batting form. Despite India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series against England, Gill has amassed a remarkable 607 runs in just three Tests, underlining his class at the top level.

Kirsten, however, believes that leadership goes far beyond individual performances and has emphasized the importance of man-management. “Well, it's early days. I think he's got great potential. Captaincy is a whole lot of things that you've got to put together. He's a great thinker in the game. He's a good player himself. But there's a whole bunch of things you've got to get right. And I think man management is going to play, like any leader,” Kirsten told Rediff.com.

He drew parallels with MS Dhoni’s leadership style and pointed out what Gill needs to emulate. “Dhoni was an incredible man-manager. If he can get that component of his leadership really fired up, I think he has all the credentials to become a great captain for India,” Kirsten added.

Greg Chappell: Old Trafford Test Gill’s Biggest Leadership Test

Echoing similar sentiments, former India head coach Greg Chappell believes the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford will be the ultimate test for Gill—not just as a batter but as a leader. “The Old Trafford Test is shaping up to be the biggest examination yet for Gill—not just as a batter, but as a leader. He's learning on the job, but the timeline is not generous. He must bring composure, clarity, and confidence to a side that desperately needs it. And he must do it now,” Chappell said.

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He also highlighted the importance of emotional balance and backing actions with planning. “That doesn't mean he can't show emotion. In fact, his passion on the field at Lord's was good to see. But actions like getting into Zak Crawley's face over time-wasting only matter if they are backed up by the hard work done behind the scenes. A captain earns the right to be loud when he's already done the quiet work of planning, uniting, and inspiring his group,” Chappell concluded.