Sometimes, a young player finds his rhythm exactly when the moment calls for calm. For India, Shubman Gill has stepped into that space with a natural confidence. His presence at the crease always looks natural. Lately, the 26-year-old's performances show a clear sense of authority. Since he took charge as India’s full-time Test captain, his performances have grown stronger and more assured. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble praised Gill’s leadership and poise while speaking on JioHotstar.
Kumble said that leading India takes far more than tactical skill. It demands steadiness both on and off the field. He believes Gill balances both sides perfectly. Gill’s innings on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies in Delhi displayed that maturity.
He read the match well and rotated the strike when needed. The right-hander attacked the spinners at the right moments. Kumble added that this awareness separates good players from great leaders. Gill keeps growing in command with every innings, and his performance in this Test proved that point again. The Indian skipper stayed calm, built partnerships, and pushed the scoring rate forward to give India a clear advantage. He has led the team with composure and confidence.
“Captaining India is never easy. It’s not just about on-field decisions but also handling several responsibilities off it, and Shubman has done exceptionally well. On the field, he’s been outstanding, and as a batter, he’s shown great composure since taking over the captaincy. Today was no different. He read the situation perfectly, attacked the spinners when needed, and maintained the scoring rate," Kumble said via JioHotstar.
For a young captain, scoring runs is vital. Usually, experienced players inherit captaincy after years of establishing themselves, but for Shubman, to step up early and perform this well reflects great maturity and bodes well for India’s future," he added.
The weight of runs and the rise of maturity
By the end of Day 2, India had already taken charge. Gill’s unbeaten 129 anchored a massive total of 518 for 5 before India declared. He mixed patience with authority throughout the innings. He built two key stands — first a 91-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy, then a 102-run stand with Dhruv Jurel. Each partnership pushed India further ahead. Gill began cautiously on the first day but opened up beautifully on the second. He turned control into momentum and gave India the upper hand.
West Indies ended the day at 140 for 4, which highlighted the contrast between the sides. Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets to tighten India’s grip. Kuldeep Yadav claimed one more. Shai Hope and Tevin Imlach fought hard to resist, but India maintained a huge lead. Gill’s early success as captain shows a calmness rare for his age. He is scoring runs and leading with confidence. Hence, India can look at this mix of youth and composure as a sign of a bright new chapter in their red-ball story.
