Ravindra Jadeja, the seasoned Indian all-rounder, recently addressed questions about his Test captaincy ambitions and the impressive performance of Shubman Gill, the current Test captain, during the ongoing series against England. Jadeja's responses were filled with humor and candidness, providing insights into his perspective on leadership and Gill's growth in the captaincy role.
When asked about his ambition to lead the Test side, Jadeja playfully dismissed the idea. After a strong showing with the bat on Day 2 of the second Test against England, he quipped, "No, that time is gone now". This response, delivered with a smile, suggests that while he may have once considered the prospect, he is now content with his role in the team and supportive of Gill's leadership.
Earlier, in May 2025, Jadeja had expressed a desire to captain the Indian Test team during a conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin. He mentioned that he had played under various captains and understood the mindset of players, believing that an experienced cricketer understands the pulse of the game. However, his recent statement indicates a shift in his perspective, possibly influenced by Gill's performance and the team's dynamics.
Shubman Gill was recently appointed as India's Test captain for the tour to England, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. This decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signaled a focus on the future, entrusting Gill with the leadership role. Gill has since demonstrated his capabilities, most notably with a remarkable double century against England in the second Test at Edgbaston.
Jadeja was also asked about Gill's growth as a captain. In response to the question, Jadeja humorously remarked, "Did you not see how much he has grown? He has scored 269 runs". He further added that Gill appeared confident and was handling the responsibility well, without it affecting his batting. Gill's score of 269 is the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at The Oval in 1979. It is also the highest score by an Indian batter in Tests outside Asia.
Jadeja's words reflect his admiration for Gill's talent and his ability to rise to the occasion. Gill's innings helped India reach a formidable total of 587 in the first innings, placing them in a dominant position in the match. Jadeja himself contributed a valuable 89, forming a crucial 203-run partnership with Gill.
Jadeja's initial ambition to captain the Test side was revealed in a conversation with R Ashwin, where he stated that Test captaincy was the only thing left for him to achieve. He emphasized that captaincy could be learned with time but believed that an experienced cricketer understands the game's nuances. He also spoke about the influence of MS Dhoni on his career and leadership principles, highlighting Dhoni's focus on the team rather than personal milestones.
Despite his earlier aspirations, Jadeja's recent comments suggest that he is now fully supportive of Gill as the Test captain. His focus seems to be on contributing to the team's success in his role as a senior player and all-rounder.
