Real Test begins now’: Greg Chappell hits out at Shubman Gill after India’s Lord’s defeat

Greg Chappell has turned the spotlight on Indian skipper Shubman Gill, questioning his leadership following India's narrow defeat to England at Lord's. India fell short by 22 runs in a tense fight, leaving them trailing behind by 1-2 in the five-match series with two Tests remaining.

Former Australia captain writing in his column praised Gill's batting skills and the promise he has shown as a young skipper, but pointed out that the real challenges of captaincy will test him now. With the fourth Test set to begin from July 23 in Manchester, Chappell believes this phase will define Gill's path as a leader in Test cricket. According to Chappell, Gill must be clear about the type of team he wants India to be under his leadership. He stressed that it's not just about scoring runs but also about leading with intent, setting high standards and demanding discipline on the field.

Chappell feels that if India wants to be among the top teams they need to be sharp in the field and not allow easy runs on drop crucial catches. He also advised Gill to back his decision and the players he believes can win matches for him. They will need to pick the right group and giving them defined roles will be crucial to look to level the series. The former Indian coach also spoke about Ravindra Jadeja's approach while batting with the tail during the final innings at Lord's. Jadeja batted for over three hours alongside the lower order were cautious and farmed the strike but India still fell short. Chappell felt that Jadeja should have looked to take more risks to push for a win instead of settling for singles.

Chappell stressed that great captains are those who communicate effectively. He highlighted that Gill needs to develop this quality quickly if he wants to lead India successfully. He said that clear communication during matches in training and in team meetings will help align the team and create belief within the group. He further mentioned that batters should look to convert starts into big scores and play with a positive mindset, while bowlers should focus on maintaining pressure consistently rather than just chasing crickets.

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As India prepares for the final two Tests, Chappell’s message is clear that this is the phase where Gill must stamp his authority not just with his runs but with how he leads. The coming weeks will test his ability to inspire, guide and manage his team under pressure and it will show if he can bring the best out of those around him.

With the series still open, how Gill handles these challenges will be watched closely as it could shape not just this series but the future of Indian cricket under his captaincy.