Does the 5th Test Victory at The Oval Ease the Scrutiny on Gill's Captaincy?

London, Aug 4 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar asserts that the thrilling six-run victory in the fifth Test at The Oval should alleviate the scrutiny surrounding Shubman Gill’s captaincy as he transitions into his new role. Gill’s inaugural challenge as India’s Test captain concluded with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, which culminated in a 2-2 tie.

“Performing in a series of this magnitude undoubtedly dispels any doubts regarding his leadership capabilities. If he is contributing runs in his primary position as a batsman, then captaincy is a skill that can be developed over time,” Bangar mentioned on JioHotstar.

“There is no such thing as a flawless captain, and victories like these certainly lighten the load of scrutiny as he acclimatizes to his role. From this angle, navigating his first series without significant setbacks while ensuring India remained resilient and played cohesively is commendable. Each player rose to the occasion, and the team’s dynamics can improve as he gains confidence in what is essential to clinch a series and takes bolder strides,” he elaborated.

Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer in the five-match series, amassing an impressive 754 runs across 10 innings at an average of 75.40, including four centuries as a number four batsman. “This will develop over time, and that is why amassing such significant totals in his debut Test series as captain is of great significance,” he stated.

“Consider legends like Sunil Gavaskar or Virat Kohli; both had outstanding initial Test series as captains and subsequently led India for extended periods. In this context, I believe Shubman Gill’s performance is remarkable,” Bangar, who previously held the position of India’s batting coach, added.

He also emphasized the critical nature of the exciting win at The Oval for head coach Gautam Gambhir. “This represents a significant milestone in Indian cricket history. It was a crucial victory for Gautam Gambhir too. Shubman Gill has achieved remarkable feats during this tour,” he remarked.

“However, for Gautam Gambhir, considering all the combinations he was experimenting with and his challenging start as head coach - experiencing losses against New Zealand at home and then in Australia - the team’s perseverance is commendable. Even Gautam remained undeterred in his vision for the team and its trajectory,” he concluded.

“The fact that India continued to fight back after each setback - losing the first Test, winning the second, losing the third, drawing the fourth, and ultimately triumphing against all odds - is a testament to their tenacity,” he concluded.