Gill is neither the kind of personality, nor the captain that Virat Kohli was: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, felt Virat Kohli would have operated differently than Shubman Gill with the conditions presented to the Indian side during the first Test of the ongoing five-match series against England. The Shubman Gill-led side lost the match by a handsome margin of five wickets despite having a skilled pace-bowling attack defending the target in overcast conditions on the final day in Leeds.

Manjrekar felt that Gill & Co. had pre-meditated the conditions at the Headingley and did not quite adapt adequately as the game progressed. The former Mumbai batter further compared Gill's personality and captaincy core to that of former India skipper Virat Kohli, and drew lines between their contrasting nature to lead the team, even in the most difficult of the challenges.

“Overcast conditions, I know the ball wasn't doing too much, but they pre-empted the English approach and had a far too defensive field. I hate to bring Virat Kohli as a comparison because it's unfair on the young man, but you can just imagine Virat Kohli in that situation,” stated Manjrekar while speaking on Star Sports.

Kohli would've shown the opposition that he's trying to get them out: Manjrekar

While touching upon what Kohli would've done had he led the side, Manjrekar advice for Gill for the future was not to play safe while setting fields.

“Whether they would have got wickets or not, Kohli would have shown the opposition that he's trying to get them out. Gill is not that kind of personality, nor that kind of captain. But maybe, don't go so defensive, pre-empting things,” added Manjrekar.

England scored at rates of 4.61 and 4.54 an over in their first and second innings, respectively. These numbers were significantly greater than the run rates at which India operated. One major cause behind this was the hosts' much more proactive field placements as compared to Gill's tactics of spreading the field out. The 25-year-old also looked very confused with his tactics and strategies going into the game, despite being individually brilliant with the bat.

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On the batting front, the Test was a mixed bag for Gill. While he top-scored in the first innings with 147 off 227, he was dismissed for just 8 off 16 in the second. The captain would be expected to lead from the front with the bat and while on the field in the second Test. It is noteworthy to point out that India have lost seven out of the eight Tests played at Edgbaston so far, and are seeking their first-ever win at the historic venue that offers bounce for the pacers.