Why is Shubman Gill so angry?
Once known as a calm, smiling youngster who loved making Instagram reels, Shubman Gill the captain is a different beast. The fire, the sharp edges, and the intensity have all become part of his leadership persona — and it was on full display at Lord’s, when he clashed with Zak Crawley and openly called for more bravery from the England opener in fading light.
But the real question is: why the sudden anger?
It's not just England — he may be angry at himself
Gill’s frustration likely runs deeper than just the Crawley incident. At Lord’s, he was the only Indian top-order batter not to score a hundred in the series so far. If he believes that the top-order collapse cost India the match, he would hold himself accountable first.
His icy comment in the press conference — “they came 90 seconds late with only seven minutes left to play” — wasn’t just about timing. It was layered with frustration over lost momentum, poor execution, and perhaps, missed personal opportunity.
Captaincy pressure is real
Gill isn’t just batting anymore. He’s dealing with:
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Injury chaos in the squad (with Akash Deep, Nitish Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh all ruled out)
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A must-win fourth Test in Manchester
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And the constant scrutiny that comes with captaincy at the highest level.
That can turn even the calmest of cricketers into fiercely combative leaders.
Siraj’s comments add fuel to the fire
Earlier this week, Mohammed Siraj hinted that “words will be exchanged” in Manchester. For a guy like Siraj, who is usually jovial and light-hearted, that kind of statement signals a shift in team mood — one that’s being driven by Gill’s aggression at the top.
So is this anger a bad thing? Not necessarily
In fact, it might be exactly what this injury-riddled, pressure-loaded Indian team needs. A bit of edge. A bit of fire. A leader who’s not just managing a team, but challenging the opposition mentally and emotionally.
It’s been raining in Manchester, and the pitch at Old Trafford is expected to favour seamers. But make no mistake — the real storm could come from Gill and his men, who look like they’re carrying a score to settle.
