IPL 2026: ‘Led very well’ – Former opener lauds Shubman Gill’s captaincy as GT beat RCB

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has praised Shubman Gill’s captaincy after the Gujarat Titans’ four-wicket victory against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“Another big headline was Shubman Gill’s captaincy. I thought he led the team very well. Firstly, a question is being raised about why Prasidh Krishna and Ashok Sharma aren’t there, but he ensured their absence wasn’t felt. You would have seen it in two successive games, and there was a match against KKR here as well, that he is using his bowlers well.” Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders played praised Gill for his ability to sniff out an opportunity the moment it is presented to him, and for using the resources effectively. He praised the decision to give three consecutive overs apiece to the pair of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.

“As soon as he feels there is something in the pitch, he seizes the opportunity. An opportunity might not necessarily be created, but when it is, are you able to seize it? Against KKR as well, he got Rabada and Siraj to bowl three overs apiece quickly. Even in this match, he got Kagiso Rabada and Siraj to bowl three overs apiece,” he observed.

A pivotal moment in the match came in the first innings, when Virat Kohli took down Rabada’s first over, smashing 21 runs off his over, including five consecutive fours. Gill gave Rabada another over after that, where Rabada dismissed Kohli off a fiery short ball. Chopra lauded Gill for putting his faith in Rabada after having been hit for runs. 

“When Virat Kohli hit those 21 runs, nine out of 10 times, captains would have said Rabada wasn’t required again, but he brought him back again, and Rabada got Kohli out on the second ball of the next over. Shubman Gill could have gone towards Jason Holder or Arshad Khan. He had four legit fast bowlers available, but he went to Rabada. I thought that was brilliant,” he said.

Gill also had a brilliant game with the bat, scoring a quickfire 18-ball 43, which set the platform for the Titans’ chase. Gill’s early work ensured that despite a flurry of wickets, the Titans had enough runs to keep them in command throughout the chase.