Shubman Gill is 'Very Driven' and Ready for Leadership Role, Asserts Zaheer Khan

Legendary Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has offered a positive assessment of Shubman Gill's nascent captaincy career, stating that the Gujarat Titans star is "very driven" and appears ready for the leadership role despite being in a learning phase. Gill, who took over as India's multi-format captain in 2025, has faced the inevitable pressures of international leadership, compounded by recent injury setbacks.

Zaheer acknowledged that captaincy at the international level brings intense scrutiny, but praised the 26-year-old's inherent readiness and determination. He emphasized that consistency with the bat remains paramount for the young leader. Gill recently contributed a solid 56 runs in the second ODI against New Zealand, demonstrating his ability to score runs even when taking time to settle into the conditions.

This backing from a World Cup winner highlights the faith placed in Gill to guide the national team forward. Zaheer believes that as Gill gains more experience and game time, he will naturally mature into the role, fulfilling the high expectations set for him by the team management.