New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has revealed that he spotted Shubman Gill‘s leadership qualities early in his career and described him as a captain with remarkable maturity. Gill was recently named India’s Test captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format of the game.

While his captaincy debut hasn’t been flawless, with India currently trailing 1-2 in the series against England, Gill’s on-field decisions have impressed many. Williamson praised his leadership, acknowledging Gill’s wisdom beyond his years, and hailed him as a world-class batter. He also mentioned that the experience Gill is gaining in England will prove valuable in future.

“He’s handled it wonderfully, hasn’t he? I’ve always felt that captaincy suits Shubman. While leading a franchise is a different kind of challenge, being captain of your country is far more demanding. Seeing Shubman in action, it’s clear that he’s wise beyond his years, and that sense of responsibility is something he naturally embraces,” Williamson told the Times of India.

“Listening to him didn’t come as a surprise to me, but the quality of his game is undeniable. He’s truly world-class. To see him come here and handle the challenging conditions with the Dukes ball, and perform the way he has, has been remarkable. He’s learning valuable lessons, and while it’s still early in his career, we’re excited about the leader he’s going to become,” he added.

Since taking over as captain, Gill has been in exceptional form, amassing 607 runs in three matches, including a stellar 147 at Headingley, followed by 269 and 161 at Edgbaston. His total of 430 runs in a Test match was the second-highest in history, earning him Player of the Match in India’s 336-run win. However, he struggled in the third Test at Lord’s, scoring just 22 runs, contributing to India’s loss. With the series at 1-2, Gill will be determined to make a strong comeback in the fourth Test at Manchester and level the series.