Highlights:
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has praised Shubman Gill for the confidence he brings to his batting and the maturity he is displaying as India's leader, saying the young skipper is improving with every series.
Gill was entrusted with leadership responsibilities early in his career as India began a long-term transition in its captaincy setup. Despite the additional pressure, the 26-year-old has continued to deliver with the bat while developing his approach to leading the team. He has also climbed to the top of the ODI batting rankings.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane said Gill's performances with the bat had been impressive, but it was his confidence that stood out most.
"Shubman's performance, batting-wise, has been brilliant. His records tell you a story. What I like most about him, the way he plays, is his confidence," Rahane said.
The former India skipper pointed to Gill's body language, attitude and intent as clear signs of that self-belief. He also acknowledged that a player's form can fluctuate, but said Gill's recent run of scores had helped reinforce his confidence.
"The way he walks onto the field, his attitude, that intent, is very important. Form can fluctuate. You score runs one day, you might not the next, but Shubman obviously has that confidence, and he has been scoring runs of late," Rahane said.
Gill has produced several significant performances across formats. In the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati in September, he played a remarkable innings during India's mammoth 405-run chase, scoring an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls.
He reached his double century in just 117 deliveries, setting a record for the fastest double century in men's ODI cricket. The innings also stands as the highest individual score by a captain in the format.
Gill has also made a major impact in Test cricket. During India's series against England, he led from the front at Edgbaston, scoring 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second. The twin centuries marked a significant achievement for the Indian captain.
However, Rahane believes Gill's progress as a leader is just as encouraging as his batting performances. He highlighted the young captain's ability to manage teammates, rotate bowlers and make timely tactical changes.
"But the most important thing is how he is improving as a captain with every series. He is handling the players very maturely, rotating his bowlers and making the right changes. So, those are good signs that he is growing with every series," he added.
Rahane is currently part of the expert panel on Sony Sports Network during India's tour of New Zealand.
India, having won the T20I series 3-2, defeated New Zealand by five wickets on Wednesday to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match ODI series.
The tour will conclude with a two-Test series between the teams. India will then return home for white-ball series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe before taking on Australia in the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India's Jasprit Bumrah (R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Darwish Rasooli during the third T20 international cricket match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 17, 2026. Arun SANKAR / AFP via Getty Images
India's Jasprit Bumrah (R) bowls as Afghanistan's captain Ibrahim Zadran looks on during the third T20 international cricket match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 17, 2026. Arun SANKAR / AFP via Getty Images