New Delhi: hubman Gill, India’s youngest Test captain in the 21st century, is fast emerging as a dynamic leader, with his bold decisions and sharp cricketing instincts drawing comparisons to one of India’s greatest captains — Sourav Ganguly. As India inches closer to a potential victory at Lord’s, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif hailed Gill’s leadership, likening it to Ganguly’s famous captaincy that inspired a generation.
On Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, India put up a dominant bowling performance, dismissing England for just 192. With only 135 runs needed on Day 5 and six wickets in hand, India stands on the verge of a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Batters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are still in the hut, adding confidence to India’s chances of pulling off the win.
Mohammad Kaif, who was one of the stars of India’s historic 2002 NatWest Series final win at the same venue, couldn’t help but draw parallels between the two moments. “This July 13 is special. Dada led us to the NatWest title with aggression and ambition. Now 23 years later, Shubman Gill’s doing the same with his young team. And we didn’t chase down 325 by playing Bazball,” Kaif posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Kaif’s reference recalls India’s legendary run chase of 326 in the 2002 NatWest final, where he remained unbeaten on 87, leading a young Indian side — under Ganguly’s leadership — to a historic win that has since become iconic. That match marked the coming-of-age for players like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Kaif himself. Ganguly’s shirt-waving celebration on the Lord’s balcony remains one of Indian cricket’s most defining images.
Similarly, Gill, at just 25, is scripting his own leadership story. He’s not only led with the bat but also made smart tactical moves, particularly with his bowling changes. On Day 4, he managed his resources with precision — off-spinner Washington Sundar took four wickets, while pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj grabbed two apiece, with Akash Deep and Nitish Reddy taking one each.
Gill has also shown an aggressive, no-nonsense side to his captaincy. During the Test, he expressed frustration over the quality of the replacement new ball and did not shy away from confronting England’s time-wasting tactics. In one fiery exchange, he was seen having a heated verbal duel with Zak Crawley, reportedly telling the England opener to “grow some b**”, underlining his no-holds-barred leadership style.
With this Test, Gill is on track to secure back-to-back Test wins in England — a rare feat that could cement his place as a long-term captain. His ability to handle pressure, motivate his team, and confront opponents head-on suggests that India may have found a leader cut from the same cloth as Ganguly — aggressive, passionate, and unafraid to take bold stands.
As India eyes another historic win at the hallowed Lord’s, Shubman Gill’s leadership is fast becoming one of the brightest stories of Indian cricket’s next chapter.