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In the ever-watchful and often reactive world of Indian cricket fandom, it doesn't take much for a storm to erupt. This week, a viral Instagram post stirred controversy by claiming that Sunil Gavaskar had taken a sharp jab at Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir, mocking their poor averages in England and questioning their new appointments as India’s Test captain and head coach, respectively.
The quote was eye-catching, sharp, and snarky: “Gambhir and Gill, who average only 12 and 14 respectively in England, are now the coach and captain of India. Funny, huh!” Naturally, it spread like wildfire.
But as is often the case in the age of screenshots and algorithms, the post was misleading. The truth? Gavaskar never made that comment. But he did take a pointed dig at Gambhir, just for an entirely different reason.
The Jibe That Was Real
During a recent broadcast on Star Sports, Gavaskar questioned the narrative around the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) IPL 2024 triumph.
According to him, captain Shreyas Iyer didn’t get his due while then-KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir received most of the public plaudits.
“He [Iyer] did not get the credit for the IPL victory last season. All the plaudits were given to someone else. It is the captain who plays a major role in what is happening in the middle, not someone sitting in the dugout,” Gavaskar said, making it clear that Gambhir’s role had been overstated.
Gavaskar then pointed to how Iyer is being treated more fairly this season at Punjab Kings (PBKS), where coach Ricky Ponting hasn’t overshadowed Iyer’s leadership.
The comment was sharp, no doubt, but it was focused on media perception, not career statistics. It was a reminder that in cricket, the captain on the field deserves credit for results, not just the big-name personalities in the dressing room.
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Why Gill’s Appointment Raised Eyebrows
While the viral post may be untrue, it taps into an undercurrent of concern among fans and experts alike about Shubman Gill’s rise to test captaincy. Announced by the BCCI yesterday, Gill has been selected to lead Team India for the vital England tour next month.
While the young opener has undeniable talent, his appointment as India’s Test captain, especially for the upcoming tour of England, has sparked skepticism, and not without reason.
Gill’s Test average of 35.05 after 32 matches is underwhelming, especially compared to his contemporaries. In challenging conditions for Indian batters like in England or Australia, he averages a modest 25.70 and has yet to register a century.
And it's not just the numbers. Experts have repeatedly flagged his weakness against the moving ball, being dismissed 13 times in the 21 SENA innings via edges or due to a tendency to push hard outside off stump early in the innings.
Worse, these technical flaws have already cost him his opening slot, with team management shuffling him down the order in search of a more comfortable fit. For a player now tasked with leading a young Indian team, it’s a shaky foundation.
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Regardless, everything should be clear as day as India’s tour of England gets underway on 20th June.
