Ambati Rayudu, a six-time IPL winner with MI and CSK, rejected Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya and named Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad as future Indian captains.
Ambati Rayudu, who is currently a commentator for IPL 2024 with Star Sports, believes that Shubman Gill and Gaikwad have what it takes to become the captain of the national team. Rayudu praised both the cricketers for their skills and noted similarities between them in terms of their captaincy style after seeing some of it in the ongoing edition.
Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad: Story of two unexpected captains in IPL 2024
Both Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad almost unexpectedly became captains this season. Gill was handed the leadership role a few weeks before the start of the financially strong league’s 17th season. The 24-year-old succeeded Hardik Pandya, who switched allegiances back to Mumbai Indians a month ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction in Dubai.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, was named captain of Chennai Super Kings just a day before the 2024 season opener between them and RCB.
This means that the two future stars of Indian cricket are already being trained by their respective IPL teams. While Gill in GT is coached by Ashish Nehra, Gaikwad is coached by none other than MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming.
In their debut seasons as captains, the duo experienced similar seasons. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s CSK have also won four games so far and Shubman Gill’s GT have also won the same number of games by playing one more game.
But Chennai are in 5th place due to a better net run rate over GT, while the 2022 champions fell to 7th with a loss to Delhi last night.
To qualify for the playoffs, last season’s finalists must go a series of games unbeaten in their final league games.
Ambati Rayudu – Shubman Gill (Official Music Video) Ambati Rayudu – Shubman Gill (Official Music Video)
When Ambati Rayudu spoke to Star Sports in a recent interview, he was asked about the two Indian captains in the IPL who can lead Team India. Rayudu then named Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad as the two captains to watch out for in the future. The former CSK and MI batsman chose Gill and Gaikwad strategically.
Rayudu noted similarities between their captaincy styles and claimed both were cool, calm and composed. He also highlighted how influential the roles of Ashish Nehra and MS Dhoni will be on their development as captains. And that’s why the 38-year-old claimed that Gill and Gaikwad would become great captains of India before long.
“From a strategic point of view, I really like these two captains and it seems that they can also decide the future of India. One of them is Shubman Gill, he is very calm, cool and composed, and (Ashish) Nehra Bhai also has a lot of understanding and encouragement.” – said Ambati Rayudu on Star Sports.
“And of course a Ruturaj Gaikwad. Very calm, cool and collected. MS Dhoni’s hand is on his shoulder. I feel both of them will also become great captains for India. And by the way, Ruturaj has already won the Asian Games.” “The gold medal has been won, so both have a lot of future and India also has a lot of future.” – Rayudu concluded.