Watch: Shubman Gill channels Virat Kohli, but Sanjay Manjrekar forgets 'India’s No. 4' on air

Shubman Gill stunned fans with a rare burst of emotion on the field on Day 2 of the ongoing first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England at Headingley. As Mohammed Siraj sent one past Joe Root and the umpire raised his finger, Shubman Gill erupted in celebration.

India’s new captain charged toward Siraj, fired up and pointing with purpose, as if to say, “We nailed it!” It was a big moment. The plan had worked, and the hosts had seemingly removed one of England’s most dangerous batters at Headingley.

Shubman Gill’s roar after Joe Root’s wicket sparks Virat Kohli comparisons

Gill’s animated reaction was a far cry from his usually calm and composed presence on the field. But the joy didn’t last. Root immediately reviewed the decision, and the replays told a different story. The ball had missed the edge. The on-field decision was overturned, and Root survived, leaving the Indian camp stunned and the crowd silenced on Day 2.

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But it wasn’t just the DRS drama that caught everyone’s attention. Actually, Gill’s intense celebration lit up the commentary box, sparking lively reactions from the experts like Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Manjrekar couldn’t resist pointing out how much Gill’s energy reminded him of another fiery Indian captain known for wearing his heart on his sleeve.

In fact, the commentary box burst into laughter as Manjrekar playfully tossed around guesses, teasing a link to India’s famous No. 4 batter. Even Varun Aaron and Navjot Singh Sidhu joined in the banter, enjoying the surprise spark in Gill’s personality and Manjrekar’s wit.

Who is this—Shubman Gill or someone else?

The former Indian batter has taken the name of a couple of former captains, except for Virat Kohli, but the hint is clear that this was peak Kohli-like passion. The sudden transformation from Gill the elegant batter to Gill the fired-up captain was unexpected and thrilling.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on air, “Who is this—Shubman Gill or someone else? When he bats, he seems so calm, composed—a completely different personality. Captain Gill, we are seeing this version for the first time. His celebration… it reminded me of someone, but I’m struggling to place it. MS Dhoni never celebrated like that from mid-on, and it’s definitely not Rohit Sharma’s style. Could be a No. 4 batter... My third guess would be Ajit Wadekar.”

It’s hard to miss the Kohli vibes! 🔥👑

The intensity, the celebrations, the leadership - @ShubmanGill is drawing striking parallels to @imVkohli.

Will the new skipper lead #TeamIndia to a dominant position on Day 3?#ENGvIND | 1st Test, Day 3 | SUN 22nd JUNE, 2.30 PM | LIVE… pic.twitter.com/ClIecVtSVJ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 22, 2025

Captain Shubman Gill makes history with century on Test debut

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill started his journey as India’s Test captain with a bang. The 24-year-old scored a brilliant century in his debut match as India captain, becoming only the fifth Indian to do so. He joined the elite list of legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar, who have all scored centuries in their first Test as India captain.

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Gill also crossed 2,000 runs in Test cricket, reaching the mark in his 60th innings. Virat Kohli also achieved the same milestone during his own Test captaincy debut. With this century, Gill has become the 23rd player in the history of Test cricket to score a ton in his first match as captain. He’s also now the fourth youngest ever to do it, behind Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steve Smith.