Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has drawn a compelling parallel between the career trajectory of young batting sensation Shubman Gill and a pivotal piece of advice he himself received from the legendary Rahul Dravid at the start of his international journey.
The Dravid Lesson: A Blueprint for Toughness
Recalling his early days on JioHotstar, Pathan narrated the moment that prepared him for the rigours of the highest level. "When I entered the Indian team at the age of 19, the great Rahul Dravid told me that you have come to the team, it is good, but the things would get tougher from here," Pathan said. When a young Pathan inquired about how to handle the impending challenges, Dravid's succinct response was: "You would get used to it."
Pathan believes this same process of adaptation and hardening under pressure is now evident in Shubman Gill's evolution, especially after the youngster was entrusted with significant leadership duties.
Gill's Meteoric Rise and Landmark 2025
Pathan pointed to Gill's response to captaincy as a testament to his growth. "Same can be said for Gill. He became captain, in that England series, he increased his average and authority within the team. Then he got the ODI captaincy, when that happens, you get an opportunity to grow a lot," he explained.
Gill's 2025 commenced with steady performances in ODIs, contributing consistently in bilateral series before playing a crucial role in India's triumphant ICC Champions Trophy campaign, where he amassed 188 runs, including a century against Bangladesh.
However, the defining chapter of his year was authored during his maiden full Test tour of England. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin unavailable, Gill, as the young Test captain, shouldered immense responsibility. His response was nothing short of historic: 754 runs in five Tests at a staggering average of 75.40, featuring four centuries and a career-best knock of 269.
Navigating Comparisons and Learning Curves
Pathan also addressed the inevitable comparisons that trail elite Indian batters. "He has a lot of talent. There will be always comparisons. Virat was compared with Sachin (Tendulkar), and now Gill is being compared to Virat, who has scored those 25,000–30,000 runs," he noted. Expressing strong faith in Gill's abilities, Pathan added, "I think he is fully capable of it. He has a fine range of shots."
The year was not without a hurdle. In T20 internationals, Gill experienced a modest run, scoring 291 runs in 15 innings at an average just over 24 in 2025, which led to his omission from India's T20 World Cup squad. Pathan views this not as a setback but as an integral part of the learning curve for a world-class player.
"The more responsibility and challenges he gets, he will grow more as a cricketer. I have seen that he is always ready for cricket. Always willing to learn. He has that attitude in him," Pathan concluded, highlighting the youngster's mindset as his greatest asset for the future.
