Shubman Gill’s dream of leading India into a new white-ball era hit a major roadblock during the recent ODI series against Australia. The young skipper, who has shone brightly in Test cricket, registered an unwanted milestone: the lowest batting average by any Indian captain against Australia in ODI history .
Shubman Gill’s Struggles in the Captain’s Role
Despite his elegant strokeplay and consistent red-ball performances, Shubman Gill has found the white-ball captaincy burden heavier than expected. Across the three-match ODI series, his returns with the bat were underwhelming—scoring just 48 runs in three innings at a dismal average of 16.00. This performance now places him at the bottom of a rather unfortunate list among Indian ODI skippers facing Australia .
A Tale of Two Formats
It’s a curious paradox: Shubman Gill looks unflappable in Test matches, where his technique and temperament have drawn praise from legends. Yet, in ODIs—especially under leadership pressure—he’s appeared tentative, struggling to balance captaincy duties with his own batting rhythm. Against a sharp Australian attack featuring Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins, Gill often looked out of sync, playing neither with his usual grace nor intent.
Historical Context: How Gill Compares to Past Captains
To put this into perspective, let’s look at how other Indian captains have fared against Australia in ODIs:
| Captain | Matches vs AUS | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 31 | 952 | 43.27 |
| Virat Kohli | 25 | 821 | 45.61 |
| Rohit Sharma | 18 | 645 | 40.31 |
| Shubman Gill | 3 | 48 | 16.00 |
While it’s early in Gill’s captaincy journey, the numbers raise legitimate questions—especially with India’s white-ball future hanging in the balance post the 2023 World Cup.
Leadership Under Fire: What’s Next?
The BCCI’s decision to hand Gill the ODI reins was seen as a bold move toward generational transition. But with rising stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal showing promise, and senior players like KL Rahul still in the mix, the pressure is mounting. Can Shubman Gill turn things around before the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle heats up? Or will this unwanted record become a turning point in India’s leadership planning?
Fan and Expert Reactions
Cricket analysts have urged patience, citing Gill’s age (25) and limited captaincy experience at the international level. “He’s learning on the job,” said one former selector. “But leadership in ODIs demands instant impact—there’s little room for prolonged slumps.” Meanwhile, fans on social media remain divided: some call for support, others suggest rotating the captaincy until Gill finds his footing.
Sources
Times of India: Captain Shubman Gill hits new low, registers unwanted record vs Australia