Former India opener Abhinav Mukund has expressed concern over the mounting pressure on Shubman Gill following India’s opening Test defeat to South Africa. With Gill missing the second innings due to a neck spasm, India were bowled out for just 93 while chasing 124, handing South Africa a 30-run victory inside three days, their first Test win in India in 15 years.

Mukund calls for split captaincy to ease Shubman Gill’s burden

“At home, everyone expects India to win no questions asked,” Mukund said on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan. Gill suffered the spasm during a slog sweep in the first innings and retired hurt on four, compounding India’s batting struggles.

Mukund also highlighted Gill’s heavy workload, noting that the young skipper has been playing non-stop cricket across formats since the IPL. After leading India to a 2-0 Test series sweep over the West Indies, he flew to Australia to captain the ODI side, featured in T20Is, and returned to lead India in the opening Test just four days after the Brisbane T20I. Earlier, he had captained India to a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England’s five-match series.

“I think Shubman has it in him to become an all-format captain, but I don’t think India should have an all-format captain anymore,” Mukund explained. “Split captaincy is a smart move. Shubman Gill has been given the responsibility to take on the mantle in Tests and he will be under big pressure. This is a crucial series, and the England series was a big confidence booster for India.”

(By PTI Inputs)