Shubman Gill can't handle leadership burden? Vikram Rathour mentions Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma as he shares bold views

Former Team India batting coach Vikram Rathour has backed the selectors and the Indian team management's decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of both the white-ball teams.

The BCCI unveiled the young batsman as the vice-captain of the T20I as well as the ODI teams earlier this week while announcing the squads for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. While the likes of Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant were seen as the front runner for the post, the selectors and the team management decided to hand over the vice-captaincy to the opening batsman, making it clear that they see him as a future captain.

Pandya was the vice-captain of the team during the T20 World Cup and although he was not made the captain, many expected him to retain vice-captaincy. Similarly, Rahul was also expected to retain his vice-captaincy after leading the team in the last ODI assignment. However, the management decided to spring a surprise by naming Gill as the vice-captain of both the white-ball teams.

While the decision to appoint Gill has raised a number of eyebrows, Vikram Rathour is not surprised by it. The former batting coach has said that the BCCI made the right decision in appointing him as the vice-captain. Rathour said that Gill has shown 'terrific body language' while leading a team and backed him to thrive in his new role.

"Whatever I have seen him, be it for the Gujarat Titans or in Zimbabwe (when Gill led in a T20 series), he did a good job. He has shown terrific body language, which is a must if you are leading a side. Now with the vice-captaincy, the BCCI has given him extra responsibility and I am sure he will thrive in this role, " Rathour told The Indian Express.

When Shubman Gill left Vikram Rathour impressed:

Speaking further, Vikram Rathour also shared an anecdote that left him impressed about Shubman Gill's maturity. The former coach recalled the time when the youngster himself decided to demote himself at number 3 to make room for Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order. Gill had taken the decision during the West Indies tour last year.

"The talk came from him. He felt that No 3 was an ideal position for him to bat and the management group backed him. It was his decision which was backed by Rahul, myself and Rohit, and he turned it around in the England series," Rathour said.

"When I first saw him in the nets, my first impression was like everybody else’s. I saw exactly what a lot of people were talking about and spoke about his special talent. When the first time I saw him playing, the immediate thought that went into my mind was ‘whoa this kid is extremely talented'.

"What impressed me the most was his game awareness, which is something you don’t generally see in the young cricketers, who are coming through the ranks. He knew his game, he understood how he needs to bat in different situations and never shied away from challenges," he added.

Rathour said that the added responsibility could have a positive impact on Gill. He stated that leadership roles brought the best out of batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and it could have a similar impact on Gill as well. He also backed Gill to lead India in all three formats in the future.

"I feel captaincy brought the best out of Virat and Rohit and I feel it will do the same for Shubman. Although, he is not yet the captain, being in the leadership group will bring the best out of him as well. This is I am very sure off.

"When you are in that role, leading others, it gives you that extra bit of responsibility, which is good and I think is great for a young kid like Shubman, who one day might lead India in all three formats," said Rathour.

Meanwhile, India are scheduled to play three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka. The T20I series is scheduled to get underway on July 27 in Pallekele.