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As Indian cricket turns the page to a new chapter with the appointment of Shubman Gill as the Test captain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 25-year-old as the leader for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With Rishabh Pant named vice-captain, India’s red-ball setup is poised for a fresh start, and all eyes are on Gill – both for his leadership and his performance with the bat.
Shubman Gill’s Test journey till date
Gill’s rise in Test cricket has been marked by flashes of brilliance and the promise of greater things to come. Since making his debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020 in Australia, Gill has played 32 Tests, amassing 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, with a strike rate of 59.92. His tally includes five centuries and seven half-centuries, highlighted by a memorable 91 at the Gabba – a knock that played a pivotal role in India’s historic series win Down Under.
However, Gill’s record reveals a tale of two halves. While he has been prolific on home soil and in familiar subcontinental conditions, all five of his centuries have come in India or Bangladesh. Overseas, he has played 15 Tests, scoring 716 runs at an average of 27.54, with just one century and two fifties—numbers that underline the challenge ahead as he leads India on English pitches. His experience in England is limited, with just a single Test appearance in 2021, where he scored 36 runs at an average of 18. This upcoming series will be a litmus test for both his batting and captaincy, especially as India aim to end an 18-year wait for a Test series win in England.
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Ajit Agarkar backs Gill’s leadership credentials
Despite his youth, Gill brings a growing body of leadership experience. He has captained India in five T20Is, winning four, and has led the Gujarat Titans in 25 IPL matches, securing 14 victories. His calm demeanour, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire teammates have earned praise from coaches and selectors alike. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the long-term vision behind Gill’s appointment, highlighting the need for a captain who can grow into the role and guide a new-look Indian side through a transitional phase.
The decision to overlook Jasprit Bumrah for the captaincy was strategic, with Agarkar noting the importance of managing the fast bowler’s workload and ensuring his fitness as a frontline bowler. With Pant as his deputy and a young squad at his disposal, Gill’s immediate task is daunting: to rebuild a team that has recently suffered rare home and away series defeats, and to instill confidence and consistency in the longest format.
As the new World Test Championship cycle begins, Gill stands at the crossroads of opportunity and expectation. His Test stats reflect both achievement and areas for growth, but his appointment signals a bold step towards the future, where Gill’s leadership and batting will be central to India’s red-ball ambitions.
