What Makes Shubman Gill a Great Captain, According to Arshad Khan?

New Delhi, June 16 (NationPress) When Gujarat Titans' left-arm pacer Arshad Khan discusses leadership, particularly regarding Indian Test captain and his IPL team leader Shubman Gill, there's a palpable respect in his tone.

Arshad, who is the captain of Bhopal Leopards — a franchise in the Madhya Pradesh League — understands the intricacies of leading a team. In a conversation with IANS, the emerging fast bowler shared insights about his IPL journey, the influence of sharing a locker room with top players, and the significance of domestic cricket as the lifeblood of Indian cricket.

Following Hardik Pandya’s transfer to Mumbai Indians, Gill took on the captaincy role for Gujarat Titans — a demanding task in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL. Arshad believes that Gill is managing the pressures exceptionally well.

“Shubman takes the time to comprehend what each player requires and how to elicit the best from them. That’s an invaluable trait in a captain,” Arshad expressed to IANS.

Not only is he impressed by Gill's leadership, but Arshad, who secured 6 wickets in 9 matches for Gujarat during the 2025 IPL season, attributes much of his growth to the Titans' environment, spearheaded by head coach Ashish Nehra and Gill.

“Ashish Nehra is incredibly engaged and his enthusiasm on the field is well recognized; he ensures every player feels supported, which is vital,” Arshad remarked. “Playing under Ashish Nehra, a former international left-arm fast bowler, was a tremendous opportunity for me. I gained significant knowledge from him — tactical insights, technical guidance — and I’m confident those lessons will prove beneficial in my career.”

While IPL is often seen as the pinnacle for Indian cricketers, Arshad highlighted that the fundamental experience of sharing a dressing room remains relatively constant across formats. However, the intensity of the IPL is unmatched.

“In terms of the dressing room, I feel the atmosphere is largely similar across formats. The main distinction is that the IPL is the largest cricket league globally, making comparisons challenging,” he acknowledged.

“I believe the key difference in cricket lies in the mindset. Everything I’ve learned and experienced in the IPL, I strive to apply here and share with younger players in my team to enhance overall performance.”

Having persevered in the domestic circuit before finding IPL success, Arshad emphasizes the significance of the domestic framework.

“Domestic cricket, in my opinion, is the cornerstone of Indian cricket. Every successful Indian player has first demonstrated their skills in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Therefore, for any aspiring cricketer dreaming of representing India, excelling in domestic play is essential,” he stated.

Arshad has witnessed the Madhya Pradesh Premier League evolve into a key platform for talent scouting. “Last season, following the MPL, two players from our Bhopal Leopards team were selected for the IPL. This illustrates how influential this platform is for young players seeking recognition. With franchise scouts present at matches, every game creates an opportunity to display talent.”

Originating from Gopalganj in Seoni district, Arshad Khan’s IPL debut was postponed due to an injury, despite being purchased by the Mumbai Indians in 2022 for Rs 20 lakh. After being sidelined, he was replaced by teammate Kumar Kartikeya and returned home disheartened. However, instead of lamenting, he dedicated his time to coaching local youth for free, using the period to recover physically and enhance his mental resilience.

His breakthrough came during the 2019–20 CK Nayudu Trophy, where he topped the wicket charts with 36 dismissals and also contributed 400 runs, including an impressive 86 off 54 balls against Mumbai that garnered attention.

“That performance likely caught the eye of the Mumbai Indians' scouting team,” Arshad reflected.

Although he didn’t play a match in his first IPL season, Mumbai retained him — a testament to their belief that eventually bore fruit when he transitioned to Gujarat Titans and made his impact.

As Arshad focuses on the Ranji Trophy with aspirations of donning the India cap one day, his grounded nature and developing skills — nurtured by leaders like Nehra and Gill — indicate a promising future.

“My current priority is the ongoing tournament. Following that, I intend to channel all my efforts into red-ball cricket. I aspire to be recognized as a left-arm pacer capable of consistent performances,” he concluded.