‘He looks like a natural…’ Brett Lee backs Shubman Gill’s leadership, compares him to Ponting and Waugh News24 –
Australian fast-bowling great Brett Lee has lavished praise on India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill, calling his leadership during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England “super impressive”. Lee, who watched Gill lead in person at Lord’s, went as far as to compare the young skipper’s temperament and style to that of Australian legends Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
Gill’s elevation to Test captaincy came after Rohit Sharma’s quiet farewell from the longest format, marked only by a brief statement. At just 26, Gill was handed the reins ahead of India’s challenging five-match Test series in England, a baptism by fire that could have overwhelmed many. Instead, the elegant right-hander not only thrived with the bat but led with grit, composure, and a steeliness that caught the eye of many, including Lee.
“He’s a young and inexperienced captain, sure, but he looks like a natural,” Lee told Fox Sports Australia. “What really stood out was the way his players responded to him. They clearly respect him. There were moments at Lord’s where things got a little tense – not full-blown confrontation, but a few words were exchanged and he stood up for his teammates without hesitation. I really admire that.”
Lee drew parallels between Gill’s leadership instincts and those of Australia’s most respected captains. “Guys like Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – they had this presence. If anyone went after their players, they stepped in and said, ‘Not on my watch.’ Gill has a bit of that about him. It’s not about crossing the line; it’s about showing your team that you have their back. That’s a massive part of being a good leader.”
Statistically too, Gill made his presence felt. He ended the series as the leading run-scorer, piling up a staggering 754 runs at an average of 75.40, including a career-best 269. His ability to lead from the front with the bat, while managing high-pressure moments tactically and emotionally, helped India level the series 2-2 in one of the most fiercely contested Test tours in recent memory.
Gill’s impressive showing in England has not only earned him admiration from the cricketing world but also greater responsibility. The selectors have now handed him the ODI captaincy as well – a forward-looking decision with the 2027 World Cup in mind. The move signals India’s intent to build a team under Gill’s leadership with enough time to settle and shape their white-ball future.
His first assignment as full-time ODI skipper begins this Sunday, as India takes on Australia in a three-match series starting in Perth. The tour will mark another key step in Gill’s evolution – not just as one of India’s premier batters, but as a leader ready to carry the team through a new era.
With his blend of calm authority, cricketing intellect, and steely resolve, Shubman Gill’s captaincy journey is off to a promising start and with admirers like Brett Lee already taking note, the cricketing world is watching closely.