Jos Buttler on Shubman Gill: ‘Indian Test Captain is the Third-Most Influential Person After PM’
As the cricketing world gears up for a blockbuster clash, India is all set to embark on a new chapter in Test cricket under the leadership of young prodigy Shubman Gill. The five-match Test series against England, commencing on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marks the beginning of India’s fresh World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and a significant transition in leadership following the reigns of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The anticipation is palpable on both sides, with England’s camp buzzing with excitement for this high-stakes contest. In a recent YouTube video, England’s Jos Buttler and former pace ace Stuart Broad discussed Gill’s ascension to captaincy and the colossal expectations that accompany the role of India’s Test captain. Buttler, in particular, was in awe of the cultural phenomenon surrounding Indian cricket leaders. ‘I don’t think we can fully comprehend the level of interest and stardom these players command. You see glimpses of it during the IPL, but living it is another level. They say the Indian Test captain is like the third or fourth-most influential person in India, right after the Prime Minister. That’s the kind of pedestal they’re placed on,’ Buttler remarked, underscoring the immense pressure and celebrity status tied to the position.
Diving deeper into Gill’s leadership style, Buttler drew comparisons with two of India’s modern greats—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Having shared the dressing room with Gill at Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2023 season, Buttler offered unique insights. ‘I see him as a blend of Kohli and Rohit. Virat brought raw aggression, transforming the Indian team with his in-your-face approach and hunger for a fight. Rohit, on the other hand, is more composed, cool, and calm, yet burns with that inner fire. From what I’ve observed, Shubman will strike a balance between the two,’ Buttler noted. Gill’s composure and adaptability were evident in the IPL, where he led Gujarat Titans to the playoffs in his debut captaincy season, amassing 426 runs at a strike rate of over 147.
Buttler himself had a stellar IPL campaign, scoring 539 runs in 14 matches with a highest score of 97*, showcasing his explosive form as a wicketkeeper-batter. Despite his contributions, Gujarat Titans fell short in the playoffs, succumbing to Mumbai Indians in a tense eliminator. Reflecting on his time with Gill, Buttler added, ‘He’s got a sharp cricketing mind, and his ability to read the game under pressure is something that will serve India well in this series.’
Meanwhile, India’s preparations are in full swing. The team recently concluded an intra-squad match between India A and the senior side at Beckenham, which was halted midway through Day 3 to manage player workloads ahead of the grueling series. The squad, brimming with a mix of youth and experience, will depart for Leeds on June 17, ready to lock horns with a formidable England outfit led by Ben Stokes. With the English side fresh off a dominant home season and boasting a potent pace attack featuring James Anderson in potentially his farewell series, the challenge for Gill and his men is steep.
As history beckons, this series offers more than just cricketing battles; it’s the dawn of Shubman Gill’s legacy as a leader. Can the 24-year-old phenom handle the weight of a billion expectations while steering India to dominance in the WTC cycle? With a clash against an in-form England side on the horizon, Indian cricket fans are in for a captivating ride. As Jos Buttler aptly put it, the spotlight on Gill is unlike any other—a stage where cricket meets unparalleled stardom.