Shubman Gill's appointment as India's Test captain has sparked considerable discussion and excitement within the cricketing fraternity. Following the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Test format, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) entrusted the leadership to the 25-year-old, marking a new era for Indian cricket. The decision has been met with both praise and scrutiny, with many experts and former players weighing in on Gill's potential as a leader.
One of the most prominent voices backing Gill's captaincy is that of former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa. Uthappa lauded the selectors for their forward-thinking approach, emphasizing the potential long-term benefits of investing in a young leader. "You have got to give tops to that selection committee because they have gone with foresight," Uthappa stated. "Shubman is just 24 or 25. If he gets this right, he could lead India for the next 10 years. That leaves Indian cricket in great hands because he is a high-quality bat."
Uthappa also highlighted Gill's leadership qualities displayed during his time captaining the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He noted, "The intensity with which he functioned, the decisions he made, the way he stood up for teammates — all those qualities matter in a leader." His performance in IPL 2025, where he scored 650 runs in 15 innings with a high score of 93, also showcased his ability to perform under pressure. Gill also reached the 1,000 IPL runs milestone at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in just 20 innings, becoming the second-fastest to reach the milestone at a venue.
Echoing Uthappa's sentiments, former South Africa opener and ex-India coach Gary Kirsten expressed confidence in Gill's capabilities. "He is a smart cricketer with a deep understanding of the game. He is diligent in preparation and training — he'll lead by example," Kirsten said. "Shubman has the raw materials to become a really good leader. I think he is primed to take the international scene by storm."
Gill's leadership abilities have also been recognized by his teammates. Kuldeep Yadav recently praised Gill, stating, “Shubman knows how to lead the team. He has learned a lot from playing under captains like Rohit Sharma. What I've seen in him recently is very impressive — he's fully focused on team spirit and motivation.” Yadav further highlighted Gill's maturity and focus on team unity, expressing his belief that Gill is ready to lead India.
Despite the positive feedback, some concerns remain regarding Gill's relative inexperience in red-ball captaincy. While he has led in five first-class matches, his experience is limited compared to some of his predecessors. Ajit Agarkar, India Men's chairman of selectors, addressed this concern, stating, "Over the last year or so, we have looked at Shubman at various times, even when we played England last year, to take a lot of feedback, even in the dressing room as well." Agarkar also noted that Gill's captaincy of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL was taken into consideration.
Adding to the discussion, Shubman Gill himself has spoken about the influence of Virat Kohli on his understanding of leadership. Gill emphasized Kohli's proactiveness and communication skills, stating, "When I played under Virat, I think his proactiveness in Tests with the field or with the ideas or with his thinking was something that I liked and that I picked up." Gill expressed his intention to carry forward Kohli's legacy by implementing similar strategies and communication techniques.
Gill's first major assignment as Test captain will be the upcoming five-match series against England, commencing on June 20 in Leeds. The squad for the series includes experienced players like Rishabh Pant, who has been named vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as new faces like Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudarshan. This series will be a crucial test of Gill's leadership acumen and his ability to guide a team through challenging conditions.
At 25 years and 258 days, Gill becomes the fifth-youngest cricketer to captain India in Tests, joining a prestigious list of leaders. Only time will tell if he can live up to the expectations and lead India to new heights in Test cricket.
