“Biggest Examination Yet”: Greg Chappell Says Manchester Test Will Define Gill’s Leadership
[By Our Correspondent]
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell believes the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford will be the “biggest examination” of Shubman Gill’s career, challenging not just his skills with the bat but his capabilities as a leader.
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Writing in his column for ESPNCricinfo, Chappell weighed in on the high-stakes clash, which begins on July 23. The five-match series is precariously balanced for India. After an opening loss at Headingley, the team roared back with a dominant 336-run victory at Edgbaston. However, a tense battle at Lord’s has left them in a must-win situation. A loss or even a draw in Manchester would end their hopes of securing a series victory on English soil.
“The Old Trafford Test is shaping to be the biggest examination yet for Gill – not just as a batter, but as a leader,” Chappell wrote, putting the spotlight firmly on the Indian skipper.
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‘His Bat Can’t Always Do the Talking’
Chappell also dissected Gill’s on-field demeanor, specifically referencing a moment where Gill confronted England’s Zak Crawley. The Australian great argued that such displays of passion are only impactful when they are backed up by smart preparation and, most importantly, victories.
“He’s learning on the job, but the timeline is not generous,” Chappell noted. “That doesn’t mean he can’t show emotion. In fact, his passion on the field at Lord’s was good to see. But actions like getting into Zak Crawley’s face over time-wasting only matter if they are backed up by the hard work done behind the scenes.”
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Chappell’s core advice for Gill was to evolve into a world-class communicator. “Great captains are great communicators. Gill must become one – and quickly,” he urged. “His bat can’t always do the talking. He must learn to speak in a way that aligns the group, encourages belief, and creates trust.”
The critique comes even as Gill is in the midst of a phenomenal series. He stands as the leading run-scorer with an impressive 607 runs in three matches, boasting an average of 101.16, three centuries, and a top score of 269 in Birmingham.