Shubman Gill Not Ready for All-Format Captaincy, Says Monty Panesar

Former India spinner Monty Panesar said Shubman Gill has talent but lacks the intensity and mindset needed to captain India across all formats.

Shubman Gill’s hopes of becoming India’s next all-format captain have taken a major hit after his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. The decision came days after former England spinner Monty Panesar questioned Gill’s readiness for leadership across formats.

The BCCI had backed Gill in May after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped away from Test cricket. Selectors brought him back into T20Is before the Asia Cup in September. He also regained the vice-captaincy and later took charge of the ODI side. However, Gill’s T20 form dipped sharply. He scored only 291 runs in 15 innings without a half-century.

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Panesar acknowledged Gill’s talent but felt his shot selection often lacked discipline. He also highlighted the gap left by Virat Kohli, especially in leadership roles. According to Panesar, Gill currently does not show the same edge across formats.

“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 said to ANI.

“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 added.

Meanwhile, Gill has now turned his attention to 50-over cricket. He is set to prepare through the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy with Punjab. India hosts New Zealand in a home ODI series next month, where Gill is expected to lead the side.