Former England cricketer Andrew Strauss has heaped praise on India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, calling him a “fantastic technician” and highlighting how early leadership responsibilities have boosted the young batter’s performance. Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Lord’s Test, Strauss drew parallels between Gill’s flourishing form and his own experience as a captain, noting that the added responsibility often sharpens a player’s focus and game.
Gill, who took over the Indian Test captaincy just before the England series, has been nothing short of sensational. The 25-year-old has amassed an incredible 601 runs across just two Tests, including two massive centuries and a double hundred. His standout performances—269 and 161 in the emphatic win at Edgbaston and a century on debut as captain at Leeds—have silenced critics who questioned his ability to lead and perform in challenging SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions.
“He’s had an exceptional summer thus far. Yeah, well, I mean, just a quality player, a fantastic technician,” Strauss said. “But I also think back to my times when I started the captaincy with England, that extra responsibility really helps your batting in the early stages. Maybe towards the back end it becomes more difficult, but right at the moment he’s in that sweet spot, and I suppose he’s just got to ride the wave and enjoy it.”
Before assuming captaincy, Gill’s Test average hovered around 35. Since taking the helm, that figure has soared to a stunning 120.2, reflecting his elevated game and newfound confidence. His rise has helped India maintain a competitive edge in the five-match series, which currently stands locked at 1-1.
Strauss also commented on India’s smooth transition following the high-profile retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He attributed this seamless shift to the depth of talent in Indian cricket, pointing to the thriving domestic system, IPL, and youth cricket as key contributors.
“I’m not that surprised because I think there’s so much depth in Indian cricket now. You only have to look at the IPL and Under-19 and whatever. You’ve got so much depth there, and certainly in the batting department,” Strauss noted. He singled out young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as an “extraordinary talent,” praising his ease in adapting to Test cricket and his impressive performances across all formats.
“I was sort of loosely involved with the Rajasthan Royals for a while, so just watching him come of age I suppose and take to Test cricket so easily has been great. And then, in England, Ben Duckett is really impressed. He’s really impressed with his performances in all formats. He’s one of the very best openers in the world these days,” Strauss added.
The ongoing series has not been without controversy, particularly regarding the Dukes ball. On day two of the Lord’s Test, the ball was changed twice due to concerns about its condition after just 10 overs, which unsettled the Indian team. Strauss weighed in on this issue, emphasizing the importance of adaptability.
“Truthfully, we’ve had very good weather and so that also sort of has an effect on the balls getting soft, but each batch of Dukes balls is slightly different and that’s the nuance of cricket isn’t it? Nothing’s ever quite the same, the conditions are always slightly different, the balls are different and it’s the same for both sides so you’ve got to find a way to win,” he said.
He added, “Yeah, I mean ideally you wouldn’t want to have to change balls all the time, but there’s no point, as players I always feel like there’s no point in complaining about it. You’ve just got to get on and the team that reacts best to those circumstances will be at an advantage.”
On the tactical front, Strauss expressed support for England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach under Ben Stokes. While acknowledging that England has yet to clinch a major trophy with this style, he stressed the need for balance and adaptability depending on conditions.
“You need to probably get, over the course of two innings, 600 runs plus and take 20 wickets. And how you do that, there are lots of different ways of doing it. But that’s what England needs to do more consistently. And especially when the weather’s like this, taking the 20 wickets is the big challenge,” Strauss said.
“I’m very supportive of the aggressive, positive approach that they’ve displayed over the last couple of years. So, I think they’re right. There are times where you need to suck it back a little bit and make sure that you don’t give away your wickets easily. But I still expect this England team to continue playing positively,” he added.
Beyond the immediate series, Strauss reflected on the broader shifts in cricket’s landscape, particularly the rise of T20 leagues and their impact on international formats. He noted the sport is evolving towards a “club first” model, where players participate in multiple global tournaments, often earning more in T20 leagues than in Test cricket.
“We are definitely generally evolving to the club first model, and the best players will be playing in a number of tournaments around the world. I’ve got no doubt about that. But, you know, I also feel like the World Test Championship final was a good example of the opportunity maybe just to expand that concept a little bit and make sure that players keep their focus on Test cricket at the right moments,” he said.
“They’re getting paid much more to play T20 cricket than they are to play Test cricket, so that is dangerous, in a sense, if you’re a Test cricket fan. But I still think the best players want to be able to play Test cricket. For England, India and Australia, it’s not too much of a problem,” Strauss concluded.
As the series unfolds with both teams locked in a competitive battle, Shubman Gill’s rise as a captain and batsman stands out as one of the most compelling stories. His transformation from a promising talent to a commanding leader is not only inspiring but also a testament to India’s cricketing depth and future prospects. Meanwhile, England’s evolving tactics and the ongoing ball controversy add layers of intrigue to this high-stakes contest at the heart of international cricket.
