Mohammad Kaif questions Shubman Gill’s leadership after India lose to Australia in opening ODI
India’s seven wicketkeepers battle against Australia in the rain first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth on October 19 named new ODI captain Shubman Gil under immediate supervision. The match, reduced to 26 overs per team, saw India’s batting line-up falter considerably, highlighted by the brief and disappointing return of the veterans. Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0). India managed only 136/9, and Australia comfortably chased down the revised DLS target of 131 in just 21.1 overs, led by Mitchell Swampis undefeated 46.
The comprehensive defeat, which ended India’s eight-match winning streak in ODIs in 2025, prompted former Indian cricketer Mohamed Kaif to launch pointed criticisms directed not at the rain or lack of runs, but at Gill’s tactical decision-making, particularly regarding the bowling attack on his YouTube channel.
Mohammad Kaif highlights flaws in Shubman Gill’s captaincy after India defeat
Kaif firmly believes that the team’s selection betrayed a fundamental misunderstanding of the demands of white-ball cricket, particularly in a rain-shortened match. Criticism focused heavily on the decision to bench the star wrist player. Kuldeep YadavIndia’s leading wicket-taker in the recent Asia Cup, in favor of strengthening batting depth with all-rounders Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and beginner Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Kaif argued that this amounts to choosing “quantity rather than quality“. The result demonstrates the flaw of this strategy: while the lower order (KL Rahul 38, Axar Patel 31) provided some late resistance, the final score proved insufficient. In a short format like 26-over, defensive containment – the primary role of players like Axar and Sundar – is less effective than hitting power. India desperately needed a specialist who could take multiple wickets quickly to defend their paltry target.
The inadequacy of the attack was highlighted during Australia’s chase. Kaif tagged Reddy “not a complete bowler“, and fast launcher Harshit Rana conceded 27 runs in 4 overs without taking a wicket. Above all, the Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann managed to secure two wickets, confirming that the pitch offered spin assistance when deployed aggressively.
“In that team, there were a lot of part-time bowlers. Nitish Reddy is not an all-round bowler. On such a pitch, even Sundar is not an all-round bowler. Harshit Rana would be disappointed with his bowling. It was the responsibility of the bowlers to win that match. I know it was a low score. But when will you then win matches as bowlers? Will you win only with Bumrah and Shami?” » asked Kaif.
Experts like Ravichandran Ashwin supported Kaif’s position, noting that Kuldeep, a spinner who thrives on bounce, was ideally suited to the vast confines of Optus Stadium and lamented the rigid selection policy favoring all-round players. The management’s emphasis on batting depth failed to compensate for the collapse of the top order and simultaneously compromised the team’s ability to defend the low total by relying on non-specialist bowling options.
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Gill’s leadership under scrutiny in Perth
Kaif described the match as follows: “a test of Gill as captain too“, one that he judged the young leader to have failed. Although Gill blamed the early failure of the top order – India were 25/3 in the ninth over – for putting the team on the back foot, the bowling’s subsequent defensive deployment highlighted a systemic lack of aggressive tactical planning.
Kohli’s highly visible presence on the field added to the pressure on Gill. Despite relinquishing the captaincy, Kohli was seen on several occasions motivating the bowlers and engaging Gill in discussions regarding specific field placements, demonstrating the immense influence the elder statesman continues to wield over tactical decisions on the field. This dynamic suggests that even though Gill holds the title, the overall tactical direction in high-pressure scenarios remains heavily influenced by established veterans.
The first ODI defeat adds Gill to an unwanted list of Indian captains who have lost their first match in all formats. The defeat constitutes a pivotal moment for the new era of leadership. The central mandate of Gill and the management of the team, probably guided by the head coach Gautam GambhirThe company’s well-known philosophy of prioritizing depth is now about balancing strategic planning for 2027 World Cup with immediate victory requirements.
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