Monty Panesar Questions Gill’s Captaincy as India Reel From Test Whitewashes

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has delivered a scathing assessment of India's Test captain Shubman Gill, describing him as a "complacent cricketer" who is not suited to lead in all three formats of international cricket. Speaking exclusively to ANI on December 29, 2025, Panesar acknowledged Gill's undeniable talent but criticized his tendency to play "lazy shots" during matches. He contrasted Gill's approach with the relentless intensity and aggression displayed by Virat Kohli across formats, stating that the burden of all-format captaincy would be "too much" for the young batter.

Panesar's remarks come at a time when Gill has been handed the Test captaincy amid India's struggles in the longest format under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The team has suffered back-to-back whitewashes—3-0 against New Zealand and 2-0 against South Africa—highlighting significant challenges in rebuilding the side after the retirement of stalwarts like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Panesar suggested that Gill lacks the mental and tactical edge required to inspire and lead consistently in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is simultaneously.

Turning his attention to Gambhir's coaching tenure, Panesar praised the former opener's success in white-ball cricket but questioned his effectiveness in red-ball formats. He bluntly stated that Gambhir "is a good coach in white-ball cricket" due to his prior achievements but recommended that he learn from Ranji Trophy coaches to better understand how to build a Test team. Panesar emphasized that India's current Test setup is "weak" and will require time to recover from the loss of senior players, adding that the team noticeably misses Kohli's presence and intensity in the longest format.

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The former left-arm spinner also pointed to broader systemic issues in Indian cricket, particularly the prioritization of T20 leagues like the IPL over red-ball preparation. He argued that young players focus excessively on lucrative T20 contracts, white-ball internationals, and limited-overs success, often at the expense of developing the patience, technique, and endurance required for Test cricket. Panesar described the gap between domestic Ranji Trophy performances and the national Test team as "significant," attributing it to a weak domestic structure where players seek quicker financial rewards rather than investing time in four-day cricket.

Panesar's comments have sparked debate among fans and experts, with some agreeing that India's transition phase demands greater focus on red-ball fundamentals, while others defend Gill's potential and the ongoing rebuilding process under Gambhir. As India looks ahead to future Test assignments, the former England player's verdict serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in maintaining dominance across formats amid generational change.

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