Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has publicly criticized Shubman Gill’s tactical decisions during the ongoing Manchester Test against England. One major point of concern was Gill’s delay in introducing off-spinner Washington Sundar into the attack. Sundar, who took four wickets in the previous Test at Lord’s, was only brought on after 68 overs on Day 3, by which point England had already built a strong total of 544/7.
When Sundar finally bowled, he immediately struck, removing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. This only amplified the criticism around Gill’s late call. Shastri called the move “wrong on all levels” and questioned what message it sent to Sundar. He added that the team lacked timely tactical changes and questioned other decisions, like giving the new ball to debutant Kamboj instead of Siraj, and delaying the use of bouncers by a full day.
Shastri Calls for Support, Cites Kohli’s Early Captaincy
Despite his criticism, Shastri acknowledged that Gill is still learning and could improve with guidance. He compared Gill’s calm style to Virat Kohli’s aggressive early approach, explaining how Kohli needed help from the dressing room to manage field placements and game flow. According to Shastri, support staff like Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel will be key to shaping Gill’s leadership over the next 18 months.
Shastri also stressed the need for senior players like Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah to take more ownership during matches. He said experienced bowlers should step up and suggest their own field placements, just like England captain Ben Stokes does, in order to break key partnerships.
As India trails significantly in the Manchester Test, sharper decisions and stronger leadership will be crucial for turning things around in the remainder of the series.
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