Ravi Shastri pulled no punches in criticizing Shubman Gill for introducing Washington Sundar far too late, even as England dominated.
Shubman Gill Delayed Use of Sundar Sparks Backlash from Shastri
It took 68 overs for Shubman Gill to finally bring Washington Sundar into the attack during the ongoing Manchester Test against England. By then, England had already piled on a massive 544/7 in their first innings, leading by 186 runs in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The decision raised eyebrows, especially considering Sundar’s four-wicket haul in the second innings at Lord’s.
Once introduced, Sundar immediately made an impact by removing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, only amplifying concerns around Shubman Gill tactical judgment. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri didn’t mince words, delivering a scathing critique of the young captain’s decisions. Speaking on Sky Sports, Shastri said, “He took four wickets in the last game. Then you bring that bloke after 67, 69 overs… What does it tell that player?”
Shastri further criticized Shubman Gill for multiple tactical errors that allowed England to dominate. “Siraj should have taken the new ball yesterday instead of Kamboj, who’s playing his first Test. That let the pressure off. The bouncer tactic came 24 hours late—it should’ve been used yesterday to make inroads,” he added.
At stumps on Day 3, Ben Stokes (77*) and Liam Dawson (21*) remained unbeaten, with England firmly in control and India left with serious questions over their on-field strategies.
Virat Kohli example
While Ravi Shastri was critical of Shubman Gill’s tactical decisions in the Manchester Test, he also expressed confidence that the young skipper will evolve with experience. Shastri emphasized that growing pains are natural for a new captain and that support from the team management and senior players will be vital to Shubman Gill development.
“I’ll cite an example of Virat when he took over,” Shastri said. “He was the opposite of Shubman—ultra-aggressive. At times, we had to calm him down from the dressing room, especially with field placements. It was as if he wanted five wickets every session. That’s not realistic.”
Shastri underlined the importance of recognizing match conditions and adjusting strategies accordingly. He believes the guidance of seasoned figures like Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel will be key in shaping Gill’s leadership in the next year or two. “That’s why team management becomes crucial,” he added.
The former India coach also called on senior players, especially Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, to take greater responsibility on the field. “They should be setting their own fields, having their own ideas. If they’ve played 50-60 Tests, they should go to the captain and say, ‘I want to try this.’ That’s what Stokes does—he finds ways to break partnerships.”
Shastri’s comments highlighted the need for a collaborative approach, where tactical maturity is developed not just by the captain but also by empowered, experienced players around him.
