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Alastair Cook Slams Shubman Gill’s Leadership in India’s Leeds Test Defeat
Former England skipper Alastair Cook has delivered a blunt critique of Shubman Gill’s captaincy during India’s defeat in the first Test at Leeds, claiming the young leader appeared “shell-shocked” as England pulled off a remarkable fourth-innings chase. The hosts chased down a daunting target of 371 runs with composure, while India faltered under pressure, both tactically and mentally.
According to Cook, Gill seemed overwhelmed as key decisions on the field were either delayed or left to teammates. Cook observed that at crucial moments, it appeared others were “captaining” the side, particularly when it came to DRS calls and field adjustments. “I imagine he would have felt shell-shocked,” Cook remarked while analyzing the defeat.
Passive Leadership Criticized
Cook pointed out that the collapse wasn’t merely due to batting or bowling inefficiencies but a visible absence of tactical pressure. He felt that a more experienced or assertive captain might have made strategic field changes or slowed the tempo to rattle the English batters. Instead, India’s defensive posture allowed England to build partnerships with little resistance.
He further contrasted Gill’s performance with how he himself approached leadership during his England days — relying on bold, often unorthodox moves to disrupt batting rhythm. According to Cook, such proactive captaincy was missing from Gill’s approach, making it easier for England to dictate terms throughout Day 5.
A Learning Curve for Gill
The defeat, which now puts India 0–1 behind in the series, has sparked wider debate about Gill’s readiness for the leadership role, especially in the demanding conditions of an English summer. While Gill has had success in limited-overs cricket and the IPL, the Test arena brings unique challenges, particularly in pressure-filled scenarios on foreign soil.
Critics, including former England players, have called out Gill for being “not proactive” and reactive in his captaincy. The consensus among many analysts is that if India is to bounce back in the series, Gill will need to take firmer command, show tactical clarity, and project leadership from the front.
