Steve Waugh names the next MS Dhoni of Indian cricket

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MS Dhoni remains one of the most inspirational and successful captains in Indian cricket history. Under his calm leadership, India clinched all major ICC trophies—the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. His unflappable demeanour, sharp cricketing brain, and finishing abilities made him a legend not just in India but across the cricketing world.

Since Dhoni’s retirement, the question of who could be his true successor has persisted. Though Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both led India with distinction and had their own unique impact, fans have often found it difficult to place anyone on the same pedestal as ‘Captain Cool’. Now, with Kohli and Rohit stepping away from Test cricket, the baton has passed to a younger generation. And according to former Australia captain Steve Waugh, Indian cricket might just have found the next Dhoni.

In a recent conversation with ANI, Waugh lauded young Indian batter Shubman Gill and suggested that he sees the same leadership qualities in him that once defined Dhoni.

“Gill also has Dhoni’s flair. Gill is calm and cool. I see the same ability in Gill that Dhoni had. The Indian captaincy is in capable hands. Shubman Gill is a brilliant player, especially under pressure. He thinks clearly and his teammates respect him a lot,” said Waugh.

Waugh’s praise comes at a time when Gill is being groomed for bigger leadership roles, having already captained his IPL side and recently appointed as the Test captain of Team India ahead of the much-awaited England tour. According to the Aussie great, Gill’s temperament and maturity at such a young age make him a worthy candidate to take Indian cricket forward.

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Waugh, while praising Gill’s leadership potential, also urged patience and support from fans and experts. In his view, Gill is undoubtedly a great choice to lead India, but he emphasized that the youngster needs time to grow into the role. Waugh acknowledged the immense burden that comes with captaining a nation like India, where expectations from over a billion fans can become overwhelming. He believed that Gill has the right mindset and skills to thrive under pressure, but his development as a captain will require space and time. According to Waugh, allowing Gill to evolve at his own pace is crucial for his long-term success.

“He is a great choice, but it is important to give him time to fully adapt to the role. It is a huge responsibility…representing 1.4 to 1.5 billion people comes with a lot of pressure, and he is young so he will have a good chance to prove himself as captain,” added Waugh.

Waugh drew comparisons between Gill and Dhoni, highlighting their similar calm and composed behaviours. He noted that just like Dhoni, Gill has the ability to bring stability and clarity to the team. However, he stressed that it’s important not to overwhelm the young cricketer with constant comparisons and expectations. Waugh advised the public and media to refrain from scrutinizing Gill too early in his leadership journey, pointing out that unnecessary pressure can hinder his growth.

“MS Dhoni’s behaviour has been similar, so Gill will be good for the team, but he has to play his role well. Being the Indian captain, there is a lot of pressure on him, and he is very young, so I would like people not to talk too much about him right now, people should leave him alone for a while,” Waugh added further.

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