What does Kane Williamson think of Shubman Gill captaining Gujarat Titans? New Zealand skipper reveals

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill leading the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Kane Williamson highlighted the Gujarat Titans team’s focus on securing their second title in the T20 tournament.

Shubman Gill will lead the Ahmedabad-based team in the highly anticipated tournament. The young opening batter replaced Hardik Pandya, who was traded to the Mumbai Indians (MI) last year, as captain. This marks his first assignment as skipper in the tournament.

The 24-year-old batter made his debut for GT in the 2022 season, where he scored 483 runs in 16 innings at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 132.33, including four half-centuries. The GT team achieved glory in 2022 under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.

Gill emerged as the leading run-scorer of the previous season, amassing 890 runs in 17 matches at an average of nearly 60 and a remarkable strike rate of 157.80. He secured the orange cap, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run scorer in a single season.

Really An Exciting Opportunity For Shubman Gill – Kane Williamson

The Gujarat Titans aim to sustain their momentum from previous seasons, but the young leader’s adjustment to his new role is uncertain. Shubman Gill can seek guidance and support from experienced players like Kane Williamson and David Miller on the field.

Kane Williamson expressed enthusiasm for Shubman Gill‘s leadership role with the Gujarat Titans, describing him as both a world-class player and a strategic thinker. Williamson also highlighted the invaluable support provided by the team’s staff.

“It is really an exciting opportunity for Shubman, a world-class player and a great thinker of the game as well. As a team, we are focusing what’s in front of us in the roles that we have, and it is a fantastic support staff,” Williamson said.

Williamson’s IPL 2023 season was cut short after sustaining a knee injury during the first match against the Chennai Super Kings. Although sidelined last season, GT decided to retain him for the IPL 2024. He is set to return for the Titans in the upcoming season.

With his experience leading SunRisers Hyderabad to the final in the 2018 season, the seasoned Kiwi player will mentor Gill. Both players will play crucial roles for the Titans in the IPL 2024, particularly in the absence of last year’s purple cap holder, Mohammed Shami.

Sandeep Warrier will step in for Mohammed Shami in the upcoming season. Additionally, Matthew Wade will miss the first two games as he joins Tasmania for the Sheffield Shield final, while uncertainty looms over the availability of Jharkhand batter Robin Minz.

Also read: Shubman Gill can only captain small teams? Former legend’s huge swipe on Gujarat Titans’ captain for IPL 2024