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STUMP VISION JUNE 27, 2025 | The Indian Eye 44

Gill’s Test: A New Captain, A New

Vision for India in England

As India kicks off its 5-match Test series against England, all eyes are on Shubman

Gill—the 25-year-old captain steering India into a new era of red-ball cricket

ASIM KHANNA
Leeds (UK)
A
fresh chapter in Indian cricket begins at
Headingley on June 20, as Shubman Gill
takes the reins of the Test team for the first
time. At just 25, Gill is India’s youngest Test cap-
tain in years and inherits a team in transition—
one that must now build a legacy without modern
greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. But Gill
appears unfazed by the pressure, bringing with him
a calm demeanor, a collaborative mindset, and a
firm focus on execution.
“Captaining your country, especially in Test
cricket, is the biggest honour a player can get,” Gill
said ahead of the series. “Not many get this oppor-
tunity, and I’m very excited for the challenge.”
Gill’s leadership vision is built around trust,
collaboration, and creating a player-first environ-
ment. He shares a close working relationship with
vice-captain Rishabh Pant, and the two have a uni-
fied view of what team culture should look like.
“Rishabh and I have played a lot of cricket to-
gether, and our thinking is quite aligned,” Gill said.
“We want to build a culture where everyone feels
secure. I believe players perform their best when
they feel validated and safe.”
With a young squad and high expectations,
Gill knows his ability to foster confidence in the
dressing room may be as important as tactical nous
on the field.
When it comes to strategy, Gill is crystal clear
on the fundamentals: take 20 wickets. “In Test Gill will lead India in the Test series in England starting on Saturday (ANI)
matches, you can’t win without taking 20 wickets—
no matter how many runs you score,” he asserted coach Gary Kirsten believes Gill is well-prepared iconic venues—Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s,
at the pre-match press conference in Leeds. to shoulder the responsibility. Old Trafford, and The Oval—between June 20 and
The Indian captain emphasized the role of his “I think Shubman is going to be a great lead- August 4. England has retained most of the squad
bowlers and indicated the team was weighing a er,” Kirsten told JioHotstar. “He’s smart, under- that featured in their recent Test against Zimba-
balanced approach to squad selection. “We’re con- stands the game, and has a great temperament. bwe, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett opening,
sidering going with six pure batters, one bowling He’s also a good human being, which is really im- and Ollie Pope at number three.
all-rounder, and three or four premier fast bowl- portant in leadership. He will be tested, but I think India, meanwhile, will look to youth and mo-
ers,” Gill revealed. He also noted that England’s he’ll come through.” mentum. The squad includes rising talents like
summer conditions have been drier than usual, Though Gill has not captained India in Tests Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair, and
prompting the team to delay final decisions on the before, he brings leadership experience from the Nitish Kumar Reddy, alongside seasoned bowlers
playing XI until they had one last look at the pitch. IPL, where he helms the Gujarat Titans, and from and dynamic all-rounders.
India’s bowling attack includes Jasprit Bum- a brief T20I captaincy stint in Zimbabwe last year. For Gill, this is not just a test series. It’s a prov-
rah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, with He also served as vice-captain during India’s victo- ing ground—not only for his team but for his own
support from all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja rious Champions Trophy campaign in early 2025. leadership. With the World Test Championship
and Washington Sundar. On pitches expected to With 32 Tests, 1,893 runs, and five centuries mace in sight and a cricketing nation behind him,
assist both seam and spin, this blend could be cru- to his name, Gill has already proven his pedigree he now leads the charge into a new era.
cial to executing Gill’s “20-wicket” doctrine. as a batter. Now, the challenge is to transfer that “This is the beginning of something special,”
Backing for a Young Leader composure to captaincy on foreign soil against a he said, hinting at both promise and purpose.
Gill’s elevation to captaincy—despite limited formidable English side. And if the tone he’s set is any indication, Indi-
red-ball leadership experience—has won approval The Road Ahead an Test cricket under Shubman Gill might just be in
from seasoned cricket experts. Former India head The five-match Test series will take place at safe—and bold—hands.

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