Former India captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on Shubman Gill’s early days as a leader, describing his current phase as a ‘honeymoon period’ while cautioning that pressure will increase with time. Speaking to reporters after an event in Kolkata, Ganguly highlighted that Gill has the potential to become a successful captain but must brace himself for the realities of leadership in Indian cricket.
Gill, 25, was appointed captain of Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2025 after his mega transfer from Gujarat Titans. He is also tipped to lead India in the future, with selectors grooming him as part of long-term plans. Ganguly, who himself took over India’s captaincy at a turbulent time in 2000, shared his nuanced perspective on Gill’s early leadership journey.
Ganguly’s Candid Analysis Of Gill’s Captaincy Phase
Ganguly said,
“Every captain goes through a honeymoon period. Right now, Gill is in that phase. With time, expectations rise, and pressure builds up. It is how you handle failures and criticism that defines your captaincy.”
He added that Gill’s calm temperament, focus, and clarity in shot selection will help him grow into a mature leader, but warned that captaincy in Indian cricket is not a straightforward journey due to intense public scrutiny.
Shubman Gill’s Leadership Record So Far
| Team | Matches As Captain | Wins | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans (Stand-in, IPL 2024) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Punjab Kings (IPL 2025) | 9 | 4 | 5 | 44.4 |
While Gill showed tactical astuteness during his short stand-in stint at Gujarat, his performance with Punjab Kings this season has been mixed. Analysts believe Punjab’s inconsistent bowling attack and injuries to foreign players affected results, but his individual batting remained strong, scoring 417 runs in 9 matches.
Why Ganguly Calls It A ‘Honeymoon Period’
Sourav Ganguly explained that during initial matches:
- Players Give Extra Effort: Teammates rally behind a new captain with enthusiasm.
- Media Scrutiny Is Lower: Early wins are often attributed to team energy rather than captaincy.
- Less Tactical Targeting: Oppositions take time to decode a new leader’s strategies.
- Real Challenges Arise Later: As the season progresses, tactics, injury management, and pressure situations reveal a captain’s true mettle.
Comparison With Ganguly’s Own Captaincy Debut
| Captain | Year Of First Captaincy | Initial Phase | Challenges Faced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourav Ganguly | 2000 | Tri-series win in Nairobi against SA and Kenya | Match-fixing scandal aftermath, rebuilding team confidence |
| Shubman Gill | 2025 | Won first two matches as stand-in GT captain | Taking over an underperforming Punjab franchise |
Ganguly rebuilt a broken team into world-beaters with fearless cricket. Experts believe Gill’s task with Punjab is equally tough, requiring culture reset, strategic foreign signings, and nurturing young domestic talents.
What Experts Say On Gill’s Captaincy Potential
Former India coach Ravi Shastri commented,
“Gill is a natural leader. He remains unflustered under pressure. With maturity, he will become a fine captain.”
Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra added,
“Leadership is not about age but game reading. Gill has clarity of thought. If he learns from defeats early, he will be unstoppable.”
Challenges Ahead For Gill
- Managing Senior Players: Ensuring buy-in from established stars in the team.
- Handling Media Scrutiny: Especially after consecutive losses in IPL.
- Tactical Flexibility: Rotating bowlers, field settings, and batting order adjustments under pressure.
- Maintaining Personal Form: Indian captains often see batting form dip under leadership burden.
Gill’s IPL 2025 Batting Performance So Far
| Match | Opponent | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB | 73 | 46 | 158.7 | Won |
| 2 | CSK | 28 | 22 | 127.2 | Lost |
| 3 | SRH | 44 | 35 | 125.7 | Lost |
| 4 | MI | 56 | 38 | 147.4 | Won |
| 5 | KKR | 11 | 10 | 110 | Lost |
| 6 | LSG | 92 | 53 | 173.5 | Won |
| 7 | DC | 18 | 17 | 105.8 | Lost |
| 8 | RR | 57 | 34 | 167.6 | Lost |
| 9 | GT | 38 | 30 | 126.6 | Lost |
Gill’s consistency has been the backbone of Punjab’s batting, though the team’s middle-order collapses and death bowling failures have cost them crucial games.
How Indian Captains Have Handled ‘Honeymoon Period’ Pressure
| Captain | Initial Success | Pressure Phase | How They Responded |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | Won T20 WC 2007 | IPL 2008 after losses to MI and RR | Backed youth, adjusted team combinations |
| Virat Kohli | Won first Test as full-time captain | England tour 2018 (1-4 defeat) | Improved away batting, aggressive field settings |
| Rohit Sharma | Won IPL 2013 as first-time captain | IPL 2014 poor start | Trusted senior bowlers, backed himself under criticism |
Ganguly’s Message To Gill
Ganguly advised Gill to focus on personal performance while keeping the team atmosphere positive:
“Runs from the captain’s bat settle many debates. As long as Gill scores, pressure will be lesser. But cricket is a team sport, and creating unity is equally important.”
Fans React To Ganguly’s Statement
Fans flooded social media platforms with reactions:
- “Dada is right. Gill is cool now, but captaincy isn’t easy in India.”
- “Hope Gill learns from Kohli and Dhoni to handle pressure.”
- “We trust Gill to take Punjab to playoffs next season.”
Gill’s Upcoming Challenges
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 July | DC | Dharamshala | Must-win for playoff hopes |
| 15 July | MI | Mumbai | Last league match, likely decider |
Winning both matches will keep Punjab’s slim playoff chances alive and establish Gill’s leadership credentials early.
Conclusion
Sourav Ganguly’s candid assessment of Shubman Gill’s captaincy journey as being in a ‘honeymoon period’ is a reminder that leadership in Indian cricket comes with intense scrutiny, expectations, and challenges. For Gill, the task ahead will be to convert this promising start into sustained success, learning to handle defeats, criticism, and tactical demands with the calm confidence that defines great captains.
Disclaimer
This article is based on statements made by Sourav Ganguly, official match data, and expert analyses for public news dissemination and educational purposes. Readers are advised to follow official cricket boards and team announcements for real-time updates and strategic insights.
