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"Exemplified The Spirit Of Gauti Bhai": Karun Nair Reviews Shubman Gill's Test Captaincy

Akshita Patel

Karun Nair opens up on Shubman Gill's captaincy [Source: Getty]Karun Nair opens up on Shubman Gill's captaincy [Source: Getty]

Shubman Gill’s leadership in the recent India-England Test series has won praise from many quarters, but few put it as emotionally as Karun Nair. Speaking after the thrilling 2-2 draw in the five-Test battle, Nair lauded Gill not just for his incredible run-scoring but also for his ability to unite the team in tense moments.

Gill boarded the flight to the UK with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired, the 25-year-old took over as captain of the Indian Test team. 

Defying inexperience, Gill led his team to a 2-2 draw in the 5-game series, winning praise from critics and fans.

Karun Nair Reveals What Impressed Him In Shubman Gill’s Captaincy

Talking to ESPN Cricinfo, Karun Nair revealed that Shubman Gill held the team together in tough moments. Nair also lauded Gill’s ability to unite the dressing room and keep the team motivated through the series’ many momentum swings.

Balancing leadership duties and batting at such a high level, Gill showcased maturity beyond his years. Hence, Nair drew comparisons to Gautam Gambhir’s no-nonsense leadership style.

“The way Shubman held everyone together and the encouragement he gave was great to see. He was crystal clear with his communication from the beginning. To achieve what he did as a batter, while also leading the team…as a leader, he exemplified the spirit of Gauti bhai," Nair said.

Gill’s own performance was nothing short of spectacular. He topped the series charts with 754 runs at an average of over 75, scoring a double hundred and three centuries. His consistency and composure under pressure earned him the Player of the Series award.

Nair Disappointed With Own Performance

While Shubman Gill’s stocks soared in England, Karun Nair had a mixed series, scoring 205 runs in eight innings with just one fifty. He admitted disappointment at failing to convert a promising start at The Oval into a century. Despite the underwhelming returns this time, Nair is determined to move forward.

"I was disappointed at not being able to convert the start at The Oval into a century. But looking back, it was quite important to grind my way on that first day with the team in a tricky position. I'd done well there previously; I'd gotten a 150 for Northants against Surrey. The nerves were there, but I was feeling good. I was hoping to convert, which I couldn't," he added.

Nair made a comeback to the team after 8 long years. However, he failed to convert good starts and also got dropped in the Manchester Test before eventually returning in the Oval Test, where he scored 57 and 17 in two innings.