The ingredients that make Gill a successful leader

'In Shubman's leadership, there is either "Yes" or "No". There is no place for "May Be". As a leader and captain, you need to have that assertiveness about decisions you take, and he definitely has that.'

On his first assignment as Test captain, Shubman Gill lead India to a 2-2 draw in England

IMAGE: On his first assignment as Test captain, Shubman Gill lead India to a 2-2 draw in England. Photograph: Paul Childs/Reuters

While serving as the batting coach of Gujarat Titans, Parthiv Patel has seen Shubman Gill from close quarters.

Going by what he's observed, the former India wicket-keeper is convinced that the young Indian skipper will have no difficulty navigating leadership as he is a decisive and assertive individual.

The 40-year-old former India stumper worked with Gill during the last edition of Indian Premier League and was impressed by his "inclusive nature" which is the hallmark of a good leader.

"Gautam (Gambhir) has spent extensive time with him now but what I have seen of him (Gill), he does prepare a lot for all kinds of situations and I have seen over one season, assertiveness of his decisions and he is very sure of what he wants to do," Parthiv told PTI during an exclusive interaction.

"In Shubman's leadership, there is either "Yes" or "No". There is no place for "May Be". As a leader and captain, you need to have that assertiveness about decisions you take, and he definitely has that," added the former wicketkeeper-batter, who is working as media pundit in the ongoing Test series between India and the West Indies.

While there has been a lot of debate about whether Gill is being fast-tracked into multi-format leadership, Parthiv is of the opinion that it is a "progressive decision" and will benefit Indian cricket.

"Shubman has shown leadership skills leading Gujarat Titans in the IPL for the past two years, how he led the Test side in England, it is a great decision (to elevate him) and we are moving in the right direction," Parthiv had very little doubt.

During his time with GT last season, what struck Parthiv about Gill's captaincy was his ability to be flexible after reading any particular situation.

"He is always open to suggestions. As a leader, he is an inclusive person and that's what you want in a captain," said Parthiv, who was considered a fine captain in domestic cricket where he led Gujarat for a decade.

Shubman Gill will be able to manage to lead Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma without issues, feels Parthiv Patel

IMAGE: Shubman Gill will be able to manage to lead Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma without issues, feels Parthiv Patel. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Parthiv, who has played a lot of cricket with both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, feels that Gill wouldn't have any issue leading the two super seniors, who are themselves flexible individuals.

"I don't think that it will be problem because of the kind of characters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are. You look at Virat, he became captain when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was still playing. He knows what role a senior plays in grooming a new captain," he said.

"Same thing was there when Rohit became the captain. Yes, Virat wasn't his senior but nevertheless a former skipper.

"Obviously, they have gone through that phase and understand the decision, which is about betterment of Indian cricket, both of them always come across as mature. I don't think Shubman needs to put in his energies behind managing those senior players."

It is expected that Gill, who is leader in Tests and ODIs, would become an all-format captain going forward but Parthiv isn't one bit worried about burn-out concerns.

"If Shubman would have been 35, I would have definitely feared that but not when he is 25. He is someone who understands his game and takes his game higher," he said.