It’s one thing to be the captain of a side in a tournament as challenging as the IPL and something quite other to make runs consistently. But when you are a certain Shubman Gill, who is a class act with the bat, and someone who take challenges in his case, bowlers, head on- then things become truly exceptional and share delight for the fans witnessing the action.

Shubman Gill, given the way he is batting in the 2026 edition of the IPL has done just that a couple of seasons ago – his brutal form with the bat etching rich headlines at a very crucial stage of the tournament.

But is that all?

Anything but. The way he has been leading his troops, encouraging his teammates and contributing himself as a leader with the bat is truly inspiring.  

 

Gill, exceptional and classy, is batting in a different zone altogether. The right hander has not only been one of the main contenders for the orange cap this season, but the regularity with which he has been hitting half centuries and forming crucial match-winning partnerships at up the order with Sai Sudharsan is truly commendable. With over 600 runs already in the tournament and some decisive opportunities up ahead to score at the Playoff stage.

But great batting form- and he’s scored over 600 runs already- notwithstanding, Gill’s captaincy too is worthy of - and commands- respect and is rightly finding the applause. And there’s a reason for it, now supported by Math. How come?

Let’s get into it. He has the best winning percentage at this point in time among all the Indian Premier League captains.

Out of 41 games, in which he has captained his Gujarat Titans side, he has managed to win a rather whopping number of 24 games whilst losing only 17. That makes his overall winning percentage of 58 percent.

And what ought to be noted is that this happens to be the best winning percentage among all IPL Captains in the history of the elite franchise based competition.

What’s unique and warrants much respect is the fact that there have been some tremendous names who have captained their respective IPL franchises all along. In the past one saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma who led Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, respectively.

In the present context, its leaders like Hardik Pandya who happen to be among the elite albeit not too successful leaders.