Is Shubman Gill Trying Too Hard To Be Like Virat Kohli?

Shubman Gill shocked everyone by putting up an angry and fiery performance on the field in the third Test against England at Lord's. Everything he did was in contrast to what one expects from him normally. From his intense body language to engaging in verbal duels with England players, Gill revealed a never-before-seen side of himself. While there were fans who appreciated his enthusiasm and fervor, others began doubting whether this aggressive performance was a part of his actual style or was an attempt to seek publicity. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed strong reservations and opined that he hopes Gill is not trying to emulate Virat Kohli simply to seek publicity and create a brand on his captaincy.

Manjrekar pointed out that Kohli’s aggression on the field always seemed natural and in sync with his personality. Kohli’s fire used to bring out the best in his cricket and often helped him deliver strong performances. But when it comes to Gill, Manjrekar feels this kind of aggression doesn’t appear to fit him. He went even further to declare that Shubman appeared uncertain and uncomfortable on his brief batting cameo in the Lord's Test which just fueled the uncertainty. For Manjrekar, Gill's mindset in those couple of balls was much like someone attempting to play the hard man instead of being himself. He proposed that in case aggression isn't one's nature then it can boomerang particularly in pressure moments.

Shubman Gill captained the Indian team with great expectations. His composed and calm image had made him a reputable name and most of all, people felt he was going to bring a new style of leadership to the team. However, the Lord's Test had a different effect. His fiery arguments with England opener Zak Crawley and persistent attempts to ruffle the opposition's feathers raised suspicions. While some viewed it as enthusiasm others questioned the timing and the motive. Some believe that this attitude may have backfired and in fact, motivated the English side to exert themselves all the more. England went on to win the match and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series placing India under pressure.

It's obvious that the new captain is attempting to make his presence felt and create his own legacy. It is usual to take cues from former leaders but the issue is whether Gill is doing it appropriately. Manjrekar did say that it is alright to take traits from good captains like Kohli but by sacrificing one's own self in the process. He even stated that creating a brand out of being aggressive and not backing down can assist in getting attention but it has to be natural for the individual. In Gill's situation the ex-cricket felt the sudden shift in attitude appeared more theatrical than real.

The pressure of captaining a side like India is enormous. Everybody is watching and expectations are astronomical. Though Gill has the potential and talent there's a fine line between passion and being performative. Kohli was renowned for staring down his rivals and playing with extreme passion but he also complemented it with big scores and consistency of performances. Gill, however, still needs to prove that his aggressive captaincy can yield results. If he attempts to be another person he may jeopardize his performance and also confuse the dressing room as to the direction the team is going in.

Fans have glimpsed brilliance from Gill in the past. He has consistently been likened to cricketing legends and has displayed the temperament of a star in the making. Leadership is another ball game, though. It needs clear thinking and being oneself. If Gill's true style is composed and calm then imposing aggression might induce unnecessary distractions and damage the team concentration. Manjrekar's blunt criticism though comes with a valuable suggestion to young leaders not to succumb to external noise or expectations but remain authentic.

The social media reaction was varied. Some fans supported Gill’s fire and said it’s about time India stood up to the opposition on foreign soil. Others echoed Manjrekar’s views and felt that Gill should focus on his batting and lead with quiet confidence instead of trying to copy Kohli’s methods. What’s clear is that people are closely watching how Gill handles both the bat and the captain’s role in the remaining matches of the series. With India 1-2 down the onus is now greater than ever before on the young captain to come back not only with strategies but also with a good show.

The coming games will be a true test of Shubman Gill's character and captaincy. Will he remain with this new aggressive self or revert to the quiet reliable player that has been admired by fans for so long That remains to be seen. All that counts now is the way Gill handles himself on and off the field. He possesses all the qualities to be a great leader but he has to determine what type of leader he really is. For the moment the cricketing world waits and observes.