Indian cricket’s former World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has offered crucial advice to young batting sensation and Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill: to elevate his captaincy, he must become a man manager like MS Dhoni.
Kirsten, who mentored the Indian team during its golden era culminating in the 2011 World Cup triumph under Dhoni’s leadership, emphasized that strategic acumen and skill are not enough for sustained success as a captain. According to him, Gill — immensely talented with the bat and widely regarded as a future leader for Team India — must evolve into someone who can understand, motivate, and manage his teammates effectively.
“Shubman has the technique, the flair, and the temperament, no doubt,” Kirsten said in an interview. “But leadership at the top level demands more. MS Dhoni was a master at understanding his players, giving them confidence, and knowing when to push and when to hold back. That’s what made him great.”
The Dhoni Template
Under Dhoni, India won all major ICC trophies and saw the rise of several youngsters who flourished in the relaxed yet focused environment he fostered. Kirsten credited much of that to Dhoni’s exceptional ability to read people and build trust — traits he believes Gill must adopt to take the next step in his leadership journey.
“You can be the best tactician on the field, but if your players aren’t backing you, or playing for you, you won’t go far,” Kirsten said.
Gill’s Captaincy So Far
Gill has shown glimpses of promise as a leader in the IPL, guiding Gujarat Titans through a transitional phase after Hardik Pandya’s exit. Though his batting form has remained strong, critics have pointed out his slightly reserved approach and suggested he needs to become more vocal and proactive in the dressing room.
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Kirsten, who has also been associated with the Gujarat Titans franchise as mentor, believes that this phase of Gill’s career is critical.
“He’s at a stage where he’s absorbing everything — and that’s good. But to be a great captain, he’ll need to come out of his shell, interact more with his teammates beyond just strategy. Leadership is about relationships.”
A Future India Captain?
With KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya battling injuries and Rohit Sharma possibly nearing the end of his international tenure, the conversation around the next all-format leader of Team India often includes Gill. But Kirsten cautioned against rushing into leadership roles without complete preparation.
“He’s got time. He should use it to learn from the likes of Rohit, Rahul Dravid, and even Dhoni if possible. The mental side of captaincy is what separates the good from the great.”
Final Word
While Gill’s technical prowess and calm demeanor have already won him fans and admirers, Kirsten’s comments highlight a vital truth: greatness in leadership doesn’t come from cricketing skills alone. As MS Dhoni’s career showed, it’s the ability to bring out the best in others that creates a legacy. If Shubman Gill can master that, the future of Indian cricket could well be in remarkable hands.