Mohammad Kaif Criticises Shubman Gill’s Captaincy, Says Ranji Background Could Have Helped

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned Shubman Gill's leadership after India's failure to complete a 2-0 Test series sweep against Sri Lanka in Colombo, suggesting the young captain appeared to be seeking guidance during a difficult final day. India had dominated large portions of the second Test but could not force a result as Sri Lanka held on for a draw. India entered the final day with a strong opportunity to secure another victory after winning the opening Test in Galle. The team had declared on 503/9 and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 290 before enforcing the follow-on. However, Sri Lanka mounted a determined resistance in the second innings, with Sonal Dinusha playing a key role as the hosts survived to deny India a clean sweep.

Kaif felt Gill lacked experienced voices around him who could help him navigate the pressure of a challenging final day. According to the former India international, the captain appeared to be “reaching out for help” during the closing stages. His comments have added to the scrutiny surrounding Gill, who is still adapting to the demands of leading India in Test cricket. Gill was appointed India's Test captain in 2025 following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format. Although he has produced several strong performances as captain, the leadership transition has also brought increased attention to his tactical decisions.

Earlier in the Sri Lanka series, Kaif had questioned Gill's handling of Kuldeep Yadav after the spinner was given limited opportunities in the opening Test. The Colombo draw was particularly disappointing because India had controlled much of the match and were in a strong position to claim another win. Gill defended the decision to enforce the follow-on, explaining that the team wanted to maximise its chances of taking wickets while also accounting for uncertain weather conditions. He remained positive about India's overall performance despite the missed opportunity. Gill also pointed to the positive performances from India's younger players during the series.

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Manav Suthar emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series, while Devdutt Padikkal contributed with two centuries and Dhruv Jurel added valuable runs and wicketkeeping depth. India ultimately won the series 1-0, but the failure to finish the second Test has left the team needing a strong run in its remaining World Test Championship fixtures. The result has also affected India's position in the WTC standings. India are currently fifth and face a difficult route to the final, with reports indicating that they need to win at least six of their remaining seven Tests to have a strong chance of finishing in the top two. Their upcoming schedule includes a two-Test series in New Zealand followed by a five-Test home series against Australia. For Gill, the Colombo experience is another part of an ongoing learning curve as he takes charge of a team undergoing a significant transition.

His aggressive approach, including the decision to enforce the follow-on, reflects a willingness to pursue victories rather than settle for safe results. However, the inability to convert India's dominant position into a win has ensured that questions over his tactical decision-making will continue. Kaif's criticism is therefore likely to fuel the wider debate over whether Gill has enough experienced support within India's Test setup. Leadership in Test cricket involves managing bowling resources, reading changing conditions and making decisions under pressure, often with limited time to reassess a strategy. The presence of senior players can provide an additional layer of tactical input during such moments.

Despite the criticism, India have reasons for optimism. The emergence of younger players has strengthened the team's depth, while Gill has already shown the ability to perform under the pressure associated with captaincy. The immediate challenge will be to convert strong performances into victories and avoid dropping crucial points in the WTC race. The Colombo draw ultimately leaves India with a series victory but also several questions to address. Gill's leadership will remain under examination as India move into tougher assignments, while the captain will hope the experience of the Sri Lanka series helps him make more decisive calls in future high-pressure Test situations.

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