Shubman Gill, the newly appointed Test captain for India, has stated unequivocally that winning a Test series in England holds greater significance than lifting the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Gill's comments echo similar sentiments previously expressed by Virat Kohli, reinforcing the importance of Test cricket, particularly overseas, in the eyes of Indian cricket leadership.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, Gill emphasized the rarity of opportunities to win a Test series in England. "Definitely the Test series [win in England], in my opinion," Gill said. "You don't get many opportunities as a captain to come to England. You probably get two—if you're the best of your generation, maybe three. But the IPL comes every year. You get a crack at it every year. In my opinion, winning a Test series in England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia is definitely bigger and more prestigious.” India has not won a Test series in England since 2007, adding further weight to Gill's aspirations.
Gill takes over the Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma and will have Rishabh Pant as his vice-captain. The series also marks the beginning of India's 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle. At just 25, Gill is one of India's youngest Test captains, expressing excitement and honor at leading his country in Test cricket.
Gill's emphasis on winning overseas Test series aligns with a broader ambition to solidify India's legacy in the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). He acknowledged the strong foundation laid by the previous generation of players, highlighting India's impressive overseas record since 2015, where they have won the most overseas Tests (23 out of 51) with the best win-loss ratio among all teams.
Despite his strong words, Gill recognizes the challenges that lie ahead, especially considering his own struggles in overseas conditions. He averages just 25.70 in 11 Tests in SENA countries, with only two fifties, both scored in Australia. In England specifically, Gill has managed only 88 runs in three Tests at an average of 14.66. To address this, Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been seen in discussions on strategies to take 20 wickets, even if it means going in with six batters, a bowling all-rounder, and 3-4 premier bowlers.
Gill also spoke about creating a secure team environment where players feel confident and backed. Gill said he and Rishabh Pant have played a lot of cricket together, and their mindsets and vision are aligned. He promised to separate the responsibilities of captaincy and batting, and wants to be the team's leading run-scorer in the five-Test series.
When questioned about whether India would adopt England's aggressive "Bazball" approach, Gill remained coy, suggesting fans would have to wait until the end of the series to see India's strategy. Gill said he had conversations with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the IPL, picking their brains about their experiences in England and challenges that they might face. He also said the Test series against England in India (2023-24) was one of the best he has been a part of, despite not many senior players being available in every match.
