New Delhi: Ahead of his debut as skipper of his IPL franchise and last year's runners-up Gujarat Titans, Indian batting prodigy Subhman Gill received glowing praise from marquee teammate Kane Williamson.
A day before the curtains go up on this year's Indian Premier League, Williamson, who carried the leadership mantle on his sholduers for New Zealand for a number of years, spoke highly of young Gill's leadership skills saying he is blessed with a 'cricketing brain', which will help him to lead the franchise in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich domestic league.
Calling Gill, who scored a couple of centuris in a phenemonal red-ball series against England at home, as a 'world class' cricketer, the premier Kiwi batter said he has already spent a bit of time with the 24-year-old off the field during the last edition of the league and is 'excited' for the new season.
"Firstly, he is a world class player and has a really good cricketing brain. I spent a bit of time with him last year and is excited to play alongside him again in this IPL season," Williamson told
Asked if he would share his leadership experience with the young batter as he gets ready to don the skipper's hat at Gujarat Titans and lead his team out on the field, the former New Zealand captain, who is ranked among the top batters in world cricket today, said he would be 'supporting' Gill in 'any and whatever way' he would like.
Williamson added that Gill needs to be 'authentic' and back his batting and leadership abilities in the 17th season of the IPL.
"I look forward to supporting Shubman Gill in any way that I can or whatever way that he would like. But ultimately, its about Shubman being authentic to himself and backing himself and I know that everyone would really support him with all that and look forward to doing that," he added.
On whether GT would miss the services of marquee all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who led the franchise to championship glory in their debut IPL season, the former New Zealand skipper said the former did an 'amazing job' for the Titans but every year, there's a change in personnel and support staff at all franchises.
Also coming out in praise of the 'fantastic' support staff of the Titans, who, he said, have contributed to the team's success with their wealth of experience and cricketing brains.
Williamson added that it was an 'exciting environment' around which Gill will make his captaincy debut in the tournament.
"Hardik is an amazing player and did an amazing job here. But as we see every year, there are changes to teams and environments and that's the change for us. With that, there's always comes a change in leadership and a slightly different approach and direction.
We have had a fantastic support staff here for a few years. There's a lot of experience and cricketing brains to decide how things would operate here. I think it's an exciting and nice environment for Shubman to start his captaincy," Williamson added.
Pandya moved back to his former franchise--Mumbai Indians--following two great seasons with the Titans, during which the team lifted the IPL trophy in its debut season in 2022.
However, the Baroda all-rounder will be fronting up as captain of the Mumbai franchise this time, replacing long-time skipper Rohit Sharma.
On pace spearhead Mohammed Shami set to miss this IPL season with an injury, the New Zealander said it was "not something one would wish for but injuries are a part of professional sports".
