Shubman Gill Reflects Kohli’s Test Cricket Mindset, Reveals Dinesh Karthik

Is India Watching the Rise of Its Next Test Great in Shubman Gill?

The Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik recently drew an intriguing parallel between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill during a candid conversation, highlighting how Gill had used a similar line about Test cricket and captaincy.

Karthik referred to this in a broadcast segment, pointing out how Gill recently echoed something Kohli said years ago, thereby giving an insight into the minds of India's top cricketers.

Gill echoes Kohli’s Test mindset sentiment

Dinesh Karthik, who has played alongside both Kohli and Gill, recounted a moment when Gill said, “People think I’m a great Test cricketer, but I still have to prove that to myself.” According to Karthik, this line reminded him of something Kohli once said early in his Test career while facing questions about his leadership and ability to deliver consistently.

“Virat had said something similar back in the day when he was given the Test captaincy. There’s always external praise and pressure, but it’s interesting to hear these players express that internally they still feel they have more to prove,” Karthik said.

Gill shows leadership maturity amid Test transition

Shubman Gill, who has recently transitioned into a more central role in India’s Test squad following the departure of stalwarts like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, has also been looked at as a potential leader of the next generation. His form in red-ball cricket, however, has seen ups and downs, prompting both praise and scrutiny.

Karthik emphasized the maturity Gill is developing. “It’s easy to look at someone like Shubman and say he’s the future. But when you hear him speak like that—honestly, introspectively—it shows the hunger and the pressure he puts on himself,” he added.

Looking Ahead: Is Shubman Gill India’s next Test great?

Virat Kohli, now one of India’s most successful Test captains and a modern-day batting icon, had expressed similar sentiments during the early 2010s when he was still establishing himself as a consistent performer in Tests. Since that time, the career has been all about dominance and commitment to red-ball cricket.

The shared mentality between Gill and Kohli could insinuate that Gill, too, may be headed for greatness, provided that he backs his talent with as much work ethic and self-awareness.

The transition of India into a new era enables such generational parallels to provide cricket fans with wholesome insight into the evolution of Indian cricket's leadership and mentality.