'What I like about Shubman Gill in the IPL has been his aggressive approach' - Anil Kumble analyses GT captain's first year at the helm

For the first time in three years, Gujarat Titans failed to qualify for the playoffs of the IPL. In their inaugural season, the Hardik Pandya-led side went on to win the trophy while they finished runner-up in 2023. However, with Pandya leaving for Mumbai Indians, the composition changed in the Gujarat team, which bothered them throughout the 17th edition of the IPL and it resulted in them failing to qualify for the playoffs.

Under the newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill, Gujarat managed to win just five out of their 12 matches while the other two matches were called off due to rain. Despite having some high-quality players in the ranks, GT failed to put up a fight in the season but former cricketer Anil Kumble isn’t bothered with that. Speaking about GT’s campaign, the 53-year-old noted that it was Gill’s first season as captain and expects him to get better in the coming years.

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Kumble mentioned that even though GT failed to qualify, he loved Gill’s aggressive approach as captain and expects the India cricketer to get better with more experience.

“It's never easy coming into an IPL season for the first time leading a side. You are not going to have success the first time around. I know Hardik Pandya had success for GT when he became captain for GT in his first season. But what I like about Shubman Gill in the IPL has been his aggressive approach,” Kumble told JioCinema.

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“When he was the captain, he set fields to take wickets. Yes, I know he has Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed, but still, you need to keep those fielders in catching positions. It didn't work out for them this season. They didn't qualify. But I'm sure all those experiences would be a learning curve for him, and he will only grow and get better. The more you do it, the better you get. The more experience you get and you will be able to handle those situations much better,” he added.