The Gujarat Titans’ (GT) journey in IPL 2025 came to a disappointing end last Friday after they lost the Eliminator to Mumbai Indians (MI) by 20 runs in Chandigarh. This exit resulted in a wave of criticism, most of which was targeted at the decisions and leadership of GT skipper Shubman Gill. Former Legends and experts have not been slow to deliver their opinions, pointing out both tactical blunders and team faults.
This article delves into the reasons behind the brutal review of Shubman Gill’s captaincy by the former legends after IPL 2025 exit.
Shubman Gill’s Captaincy in IPL 2025
Shubman Gill began his captaincy stint with the Gujarat Titans in 2024, and the team fared poorly, ending up eighth with only five victories in 14 games. Yet, IPL 2025 witnessed a dramatic reversal—GT made the playoffs with nine victories, courtesy largely of Gill’s enhanced leadership and steady batting. He scored a brilliant 650 runs in 15 games with a healthy strike rate of 155.87, which turns out to be one of the most reliable top bowlers in the league.
Eliminator’s defeat for Mumbai Indians exposed weaknesses in GT’s strategy, especially ahead of adversity.
Why Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Is Under Fire
1. Reactive vs. Proactive Strategy
Former India batter Robin Uthappa was among the most vocal critics, pointing out that GT’s strategy was “more reactive than proactive.” The decision to open the bowling with Prasidh Krishna, who had been most effective in the middle overs, backfired spectacularly. Prasidh’s first over was expensive, and he was smashed for 26 runs in his second over by Jonny Bairstow. This set the tone for MI’s aggressive start and put GT on the back foot early.
Uthappa noted, “GT’s strategy was more reactive than proactive. Using Prasidh in the powerplay despite his success in middle overs was a misstep. His first over was expensive, and they failed to course-correct. The 26-run and 22-run overs proved costly.”
2. Fielding Lapses and Missed Opportunities
Fielding was another area where GT faltered badly. The team dropped three key catches—two of Rohit Sharma and one of Suryakumar Yadav—during the powerplay and middle overs. Rohit Sharma, who was dropped twice, went on to score a match-changing 81 off 50 balls. Suryakumar Yadav also benefited from a dropped chance, assisting MI to register a massive 228/5.
Shubman Gill himself admitted, “It’s tough for bowlers when we drop three sitters—it doesn’t help the cause.”Uthappa summed it up bluntly: “You can’t drop that many catches and expect to win a championship.”
3. Death Bowling Woes
GT’s bowling unit struggled in the latter stages of the tournament. In the Eliminator, the last five overs saw MI score crucial 68 runs, with the last over resulting in 22 runs. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan were not at their best, and GT couldn’t arrest the run flow at the death.
The Road Ahead for Shubman Gill
There is a long way to go in Shubman Gill’s captaincy career. Because of his leadership skills, the selectors named him Test captain going into the England series. With all the problems faced, the IPL 2025 experience will teach us a lot.
Absorbing feedback, learning from his errors, and keeping a good attitude will help him succeed with more responsibility. The next step is for him to do well in big matches where the pressure is intense.
Why Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Review Matters
The brutal review of Gill’s leadership after IPL 2025 is more about what young leaders are supposed to do in Indian cricket than just one battle. Since everything in the IPL is watched closely, decisions are under intense pressure. For Gill, the goal is to let this situation make him into a more flexible captain.
The way he deals with pressure, decides fast in crucial times, and motivates his team when needed will be what sticks with his legacy. Though the IPL 2025 exit could slow things down, it also presents a chance to improve.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 2025: Why Karun Nair Should Bat At Number 3
Final Thoughts
Shubman Gill had moments of highs and lows during his leadership in IPL 2025. Because of some fielding errors and questionable decisions he made, experts were extremely critical of Kohli’s game at the Eliminator. His experience in international cricket now will help a lot when he is India’s Test captain.
Critics and fans are now curious about how Gill can come back from this. Can he rebound after these challenges, or will responsibilities as a leader become too heavy? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Shubman Gill’s captaincy journey has just started.
