Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered a candid assessment of Shubman Gill's appointment as India's new Test captain ahead of the five-match Test series against England, commencing on June 20th in Leeds. This series marks a significant transition for the Indian Test team, following the retirements of seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, and Ashwin himself from international cricket.
Ashwin's remarks, made in an exclusive interview, suggest that Gill may be feeling the pressure that comes with the added responsibility and attention. He stated, "I think he is already too overwhelmed by the attention and responsibility he has got." Acknowledging the challenges of batting in England, Ashwin emphasized the importance of Gill securing a strong start to the series. "If I was in his place with such a high-pressure job, I would want to have a very good start as a batsman," he noted. He further added, "As a batter, he will have his share of questions on his place, as England can be a very tough place to bat. But if he makes runs, runs will give confidence and that would in turn rub on to captaincy."
Despite these concerns, Ashwin recognized Gill's potential, calling him a "very special player" and expressing hope that he will perform well to silence any doubts. He believes that a good start with the bat will be crucial for Gill to gain confidence and positively influence his captaincy. Ashwin contrasted Gill's situation with that of Rishabh Pant, the newly appointed vice-captain, suggesting that Pant enters the series with more certainty.
While acknowledging Gill's leadership qualities displayed in the IPL, Ashwin emphasized the importance of first-class cricket experience for a Test captain. He has also previously mentioned Ravindra Jadeja as a potential captaincy candidate, given his experience, even suggesting grooming Gill under a senior player like Jadeja or Jasprit Bumrah. Ashwin has in the past lauded the "futuristic call" of appointing Gill as vice-captain, recognizing the management's focus on identifying future leaders.
The Test series against England presents a significant opportunity for Gill to prove his mettle as both a batsman and a captain. While Ashwin acknowledges that the experience of senior players will be missed, he looks forward to seeing how the young team performs under Gill's leadership. He stated, "Now looking forward to the attitude and desire of talents like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel to take it ahead." He believes that the team's success will depend on the younger players stepping up and replicating the energy and desire that players like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar displayed.
Gill himself recognizes the challenge ahead, acknowledging the "blueprint to win" provided by former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with Ashwin. He aims to lead by example, emphasizing discipline and hard work both on and off the field. He also understands the importance of giving his players space and knowing how to get the best out of them, recognizing that "everyone has kind of had a different life and grown up differently." Gill has also stressed the importance of separating his batting from his captaincy, aiming to make decisions as a batsman without the added pressure of leadership.
India's squad for the England series includes Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan and others. The series will be held from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.
