Former England batter Mark Ramprakash has heaped praise on India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, lauding his classical technique and adaptability across formats. Ramprakash believes Gill has the potential to emerge as the successor to the famed ‘Fab Four’ — Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson — who have dominated world cricket for over a decade.
In his column for The Guardian, Ramprakash hailed Gill’s recent form, particularly his standout performances in the ongoing Test series. After scoring 147 and 8 in Leeds, the 24-year-old produced majestic knocks of 269 and 161 in Birmingham, steering India to a commanding 336-run victory. With 585 runs already in the five-match series, Gill heads into the third Test at Lord’s as the player to watch.
“We must acknowledge his stamina, skill, and hunger — not just for runs, but for leading by example as a young captain. While leadership can often weigh on a player’s performance, Gill appears to thrive under it. His three highest Test scores have all come in the last three weeks,” wrote Ramprakash.
He emphasized Gill’s classical yet versatile style, saying, “Gill has shown he can step into the shoes of the Fab Four — and he does it with a wonderfully orthodox technique. He plays all formats with ease, but his game is grounded in textbook fundamentals.”
Ramprakash, who represented England in 52 Tests and later served as their batting coach, also questioned England’s decision to bowl first in both Tests, which allowed Gill the opportunity to dominate from the outset.
“By choosing to bowl first, England gave Gill the platform to control the match. That decision may be up for review as they consider how to blunt his influence going forward. He’s now well-versed with the English attack — their angles, pace, and plans.”
He further suggested that England captain Ben Stokes may need to revamp his bowling lineup, not only due to fatigue but also to counter Gill’s form. “Fresh plans and new personnel may be the only way to challenge Gill, whose consistency has helped set the tone for India’s dominance,” Ramprakash concluded.
