India’s young batter Shubman Gill was appointed Gujarat Titans’ (GT) skipper for the IPL 2024 season late last year, after title-winning skipper Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians (MI) following a high-profile trade.
Gill’s elevation to leadership is a testament to his impressive performances over the last couple of years. The right-hander was among the top five run-getters in the 2022 edition of IPL while he finished the league as the leading run-scorer last year, amassing 890 runs at a strike rate of 157.80 with three hundreds and four half-centuries.
On the eve of the IPL 2024 opener, New Zealand veteran Kane Williamson expressed his willingness to assist Shubman Gill in any capacity possible as the latter will be assuming a leadership role for the first time.
In an exclusive interview with news agency PTI, Williamson also hailed Gill as a "great cricketing brain."
"He (Gill) is a great player and like I said a great cricketing brain, and I would certainly encourage him to walk that path and take his decisions. No doubt what he will look to do the same," Williamson said.
"I will be more than happy to help Shubman in any way I can and Shubman knows that," he added.
Under Hardik Pandya, the Titans achieved great success in the 2022 and 2023 editions of IPL. While GT clinched the title in their maiden season, they narrowly lost the final to Chennai Super Kings last year.
While Gill has big shoes to fill, Williamson backed the 24-year-old to excel in the job.
"As for the team and myself, I would generally like to share some ideas. It is a long season ahead. It will be quite a journey and we will all be learning through it," the Kiwi cricketer said.
With senior pacer Mohammad Shami ruled out of the IPL 2024 after undergoing heel surgery, Gill's captaincy for the Titans won't be without its challenges.
However, Williamson mentioned that facing such obstacles is a just a normal thing for any leader.
"Obviously, there has been a few changes in the camp, that's a challenge for every team as every year you have some adjustments to make, really exciting opportunity for Shubman and we need to focus what's there in front of us," he said.
Commenting on his batting order, Williamson suggested that he will maintain his usual slot at No. 3.
"I think it will be a top order option. There are so many quality players, whether that's local Indian players, who have been exceptional or the overseas ones. So, it will come down to balance and I think a top order option," he said.
The IPL 2024 season will see the bowlers enjoying the luxury of delivering two bouncers in an over and Williamson welcomed this tweak in the playing conditions.
"I think it is a good addition and it will bring slightly different dynamic to the game. It is a nice extra option for the fast bowlers," said Williamson.
However, the rule might just help the batters at smaller venues. "There could be smaller grounds around country and some very good surfaces which offer some high scores. Also addition of Impact Players, weighed more towards the runs side of the things. So, it is a nice addition and will play a role for sure."
(With PTI Inputs)
