Veteran Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has weighed in on Shubman Gill's appointment as the new Test captain of the Indian cricket team, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead for the young leader, particularly with the upcoming five-match series against England. The appointment of Gill, succeeding Rohit Sharma, marks a significant transition for the Indian Test team, especially after the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Pujara, who himself has vast experience playing in challenging conditions, emphasized that captaining India in England will be a stern test for Gill. He noted that while the conditions in England can be demanding, this presents a significant opportunity for the young captain to prove his mettle and gain confidence. "When you go abroad as a captain, whether you are young or matured, it will be challenging. To start off in England, it won't be easy for Shubman, but it's a great opportunity for a young player. If he leads well in England it will boost his confidence," Pujara stated during an online interaction.
The 37-year-old Pujara, who last represented India in the World Test Championship final in June 2023, advised Gill to maintain a clear separation between his captaincy duties and his batting. He emphasized that while batting, Gill should focus solely on his role as a batter and not let the pressures of captaincy affect his approach. "When you are playing as a batter at the highest level you never think about whether you are a captain or a player, you always want to do well for the team. You need to keep it separate, when you are batting in the middle, you need to think as batter rather than thinking about captaincy," Pujara advised. He further added, "I don't think his batting approach will change, he has to bat the way he bats."
Pujara also highlighted the importance of Gill understanding the conditions and adapting his shot selection accordingly. With his experience of playing county cricket in England, Pujara suggested that Gill needs to assess the types of shots he can play in English conditions and identify the right bowlers to target. "When he goes to England, and when he starts his preparation, he will understand that these are the shots which he can play while the ball is new. Plus, there are some shots which you need to avoid when the ball is new, and it’s swinging or seaming around a bit," Pujara noted.
Furthermore, Pujara expressed his support for Rishabh Pant's appointment as the vice-captain of the Test squad. He believes that Pant's experience and aggressive batting style will be valuable assets to the team.
Shubman Gill's appointment as Test captain comes at a time when Indian cricket is undergoing a significant transition. With the retirements of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team is looking to build a new core of players who can lead India to success in the years to come. Gill's leadership in the upcoming series against England will be crucial in setting the tone for this new era.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has backed Gill's appointment, citing his progress over the past couple of years and expressing confidence in his ability to lead the team. Agarkar acknowledged that it will be a tough assignment for Gill, but believes that he has the potential to learn and grow into the role.
As India embarks on this new chapter in Test cricket, the focus will be on Shubman Gill and how he leads the team in the challenging conditions of England. With the guidance of experienced players like Cheteshwar Pujara and the backing of the team management, Gill will be aiming to make a strong start to his captaincy tenure and establish himself as a long-term leader for Indian cricket.
