Shubman Gill has received some suggestions from out-of-favor India cricketer Hanuma Vihari as India lost yet another ODI series under his captaincy. India lost the three-ODI series to England 2-1. Before this, India had lost ODI series to Australia down under and to New Zealand at home.
The only ODI series India has won since Shubman Gill took over was against Afghanistan, which the Men in Blue won 3-0. This has severely hurt India’s plans for the ICC World Cup 2027, and as time runs out before the marquee tournament, the team management is still searching for the right combinations but has struggled to deliver consistent results.
Hanuma Vihari questioned Shubman's tactical ability, citing his field placements and bowling changes during India's most recent series loss to England as evidence that the ODI captain had much to learn as a leader.
“Having just five bowlers in the last ODI, he (Gill) was struggling with his bowling changes. When everyone was getting hit, not having a sixth option became a concern for him. You should also know how to handle things when this option is not there. Whether it is field placement or bowling changes, I feel he has to improve. He has a lot to improve in captaincy. His batting is outstanding, but he has to get better as captain because the results are not coming,” Hanuma Vihari said on his YouTube channel.
So far, Gill's tenure as India's captain has yielded inconsistent outcomes. He won the home Test series against the West Indies 2-0 after beginning the five-Test series in England with a respectable 2-2 tie.
However, India subsequently suffered identical 2-1 defeats in ODI series against Australia, New Zealand, and England. Gill only captained the first game of the team's 2-0 home Test series loss to South Africa before missing the rest.
Speaking on the makeup of India's squad, Vihari expressed his confusion about Kuldeep Yadav's removal, claiming that seasoned match-winners are essential if India is serious about winning the ODI World Cup.
“Why was Kuldeep left out? It is something that I cannot understand. Going with youth in T20s is still fine, but here you have to go with experience. India has so many such players. Seeing the IPL, you feel there are many new players, but match-winners are very few, and you have to pick those match-winners. If you have winning the World Cup in mind, you will pick experienced players and those who know how to win games,” he said.
“Lord’s is a slow wicket. On that wicket, you played four fast bowlers and did not play Kuldeep. It was a shocker. If you take him in the team but don’t give him a chance in a series like this, how will you pick him for the World Cup? This is a question everyone has to ask after losing a series like this,” he added.
Shubman Gill will next lead India in a two-Test series in Sri Lanka in August.
