Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has weighed in on Shubman Gill’s captaincy in the wake of India’s five-wicket defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley. While acknowledging Gill’s composure and talent as a batter, Manjrekar cautioned the young skipper against being too defensive in his approach, especially when conditions are in India’s favour.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking on Star Sports’ Game Plan, Manjrekar said Gill is “sorted” as a batter at No. 4 and will only improve with experience. “I just hope he can carry on after getting to a 108 or 120 because now he knows what could happen if he gets out. So that is something he will start doing,” he said.
However, it was Gill’s field placements and leadership that drew greater scrutiny. “Overcast conditions, I know the ball wasn’t doing too much, but they pre-empted the English approach and had a far too defensive field,” Manjrekar noted. “I hate to bring Virat Kohli as a comparison because it’s unfair on the young man, but you can just imagine Virat Kohli in that situation.”
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“Whether they would have got wickets or not, Kohli would have shown the opposition that he’s trying to get them out. Gill is not that kind of personality, nor that kind of captain. But maybe don’t go so defensive pre-empting things,” he added.Manjrekar also praised Rishabh Pant’s hunger and resilience, saying he is likely to carry his twin tons into the second Test. At the same time, he warned KL Rahul to maintain consistency. “KL Rahul cannot be a one-hundred wonder or a one-Test-match performer. Indian cricket needs him badly,” he said.The second Test begins Wednesday at Edgbaston, with India trailing 0-1 in the five-match series.
