'Shubman Gill has certainly learned from last year' - Sunil Gavaskar analyses changes in star batter's captaincy skills

Sunil Gavaskar feels that Shubman Gill has improved as a captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a tough start in 2024. Ahead of last season, the Gujarat Titans (GT) appointed the Punjab batter as the captain. While Shubman performed well as a batter, he couldn't lead his troops to the playoffs. In fact, GT finished at No. 8 on the points table with five wins and seven defeats.

However, Shubman has managed to redeem himself in IPL 2025, guiding GT to the third position at the end of the league phase with nine wins and five losses. Under his leadership, the former champions will face five-time winners Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday, May 30.

Gavaskar pointed out how Shubman has cleverly played second fiddle when Sai Sudharsan has been going after the bowlers in IPL 2025.

"What he's learned from last year. Remember last year, he was a captain and they didn't do too well. So, certainly I think what he's learned from the last year, we can see over here with the way he's been leading the team with Sai Sudarshan. When Sai Sudarshan is going well, he's quite happy to knock the singles and give him more of the strike," said Gavaskar while speaking to the broadcasters.

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He controls his emotions, which is so important: Gavaskar

Gavaskar pointed out how Shubman remains calm on the field and doesn't get annoyed with his fielders when they drop catches. The former India captain said that the 25-year-old encourages them to do better the next time.

"And then also in the field, when you see a catch being dropped, there's a misfield, he doesn't get annoyed. He controls his emotions, which is so important because in a high-pressure game like this, you don't want to make the fielder even more nervous. He knows he's not done the right thing, and basically the way he goes and you know encourages and pats his team on the back, that's the kind of leader that he's been showing that he's with them all through," said Gavaskar.

Shubman was recently appointed as the captain of India's Test team. He will begin his reign shortly after the IPL final as India travel to England to play a five-match series against Ben Stokes and Co.