Sourav Ganguly has cautioned Shubman Gill, the new Indian Test captain, that the "honeymoon period" of his captaincy will not last forever, suggesting that the pressure will escalate in the upcoming Test matches. Ganguly, celebrating his 53rd birthday, acknowledged Gill's impressive start but emphasized that the real test of leadership is yet to come.
Gill's ascension to captaincy follows the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, marking a significant transition for the Indian team. The series against England is particularly crucial as it begins India's campaign in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Gill's performance in the series will not only define his leadership but also set the tone for the team's future.
Ganguly noted that Gill is currently enjoying a honeymoon period as captain but he will face increased pressure as time passes. The former India captain believes that Indian cricket continuously produces talented players to fill any void. He said that Gill has turned around his batting in away conditions, and it is good to see a young captain taking responsibility. However, he also pointed out that there is still a lot of cricket left, with three more Test matches to go.
Gill's form has been phenomenal, amassing 585 runs in the series so far at an average of 146.25, including three centuries. At Edgbaston, his scores of 269 and 161 set records, including the highest match aggregate by an Indian batter. He is also close to surpassing Rahul Dravid's record of 602 runs for the most runs by an Indian batter in a series in England. Furthermore, Gill is within striking distance of Don Bradman's 88-year-old record for the most runs as captain in a Test series. Bradman scored 810 runs in five Tests during the 1936-37 Ashes.
Despite Gill's success, Ganguly advised him to focus on scoring runs and tightening his defense, particularly when facing the new ball in seaming and swinging conditions. Ganguly stressed the importance of leaving deliveries outside the off stump and highlighted the need for a strong start to avoid early collapses. He also suggested that a lively pitch at Lord's would favor India's chances of taking 20 wickets.
Ganguly isn't the only one who has offered words of caution and advice to Gill. Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik warned Gill about the immense pressure of captaincy, likening it to walking into a lion's den. Karthik emphasized the importance of using Jasprit Bumrah wisely, suggesting that Gill should use him as a strike bowler and manage his workload to prevent injuries.
While Gill has acknowledged the pressure, he remains focused on performing as a batter and setting high standards for the team. He aims to be the best batter in the series and create a secure, confident team environment. Gill also recognizes the need to adapt to English conditions and has been working on his technique.
