WATCH: “Bat first, bowl bowl first, sorry bowl first,” Shubman Gill does a Rohit Sharma by FORGETTING what to choose after winning the toss

This was the first time Shubman Gill won a toss in his captaincy career.

WATCH: “Bat first, bowl bowl first, sorry bowl first,” Shubman Gill does a Rohit Sharma by FORGETTING what to choose after winning the toss

Shubman Gill's mix-up reminded fans about Rohit Sharma's brain fade moment (Image via IPL)

On 26th March, 2023 IPL finalists Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings met up at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai. Both teams won their opening matches in the 2024 IPL and look to continue their winning runs. 

Both teams also have new captains, with Shubman Gill replacing the outgoing Hardik Pandya and Ruturaj Gaikwad replacing MS Dhoni, who stepped down. The two had also lost the toss in their first match. 

YouTube video

The two met for the toss and Gaikwad flipped the coin, with Gill calling correctly and winning the toss. When match referee Narayan Kutty pointed to Gill, he fumbled his words. He wanted to bowl first, but accidentally claimed he wanted to bat. 

Bat first, bowl bowl first, sorry bowl first.
Shubman Gill during toss

This mix-up was similar to one Rohit Sharma did over a year ago. When captaining India in an ODI with New Zealand, he won the toss but took over 12-seconds to remember what he wanted to do. 

Sreesanth explains how Shubman Gill’s captaincy will give more freedom to bowlers 

During his time at Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya was a very hands-on captain, often talking with his bowlers between overs and instructing them on how to bowl. Sreesanth did not like this method and believed his successor Shubman Gill wouldn’t do the same. 

Sai Kishore and Shubman Gill
Sai Kishore and Shubman Gill have a chat (Image via IPL)
There is no Hardik in Gujarat to tell the bowlers what to bowl. Sometimes you need to give the bowler that freedom to bowl. This time the captain is Gill, and I’m sure Ashish (Nehra) bhai will say let them bowl. Bowlers will also take responsibility with a young captain and sometimes, this is the advantage of having a young captain.
Sreesath on FanCode

Meanwhile, Gill’s first match at Chepauk is not going well. Electing to bowl first, Gujarat Titans conceded 206 in the first innings. An explosive knock at the start by Rachin Ravindra (46 off 20), along with 46 by Gaikwad, a fifty by Shivam Dube and an impressive cameo by Samir Rizvi helped the team score 206/6. GT later lost the match by 63 runs.  

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