Shubman Gill set to lead India in England Test series: can he handle the pressure?

Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new captain of India’s Test cricket team for the upcoming five-Test series in England, succeeding Rohit Sharma who recently retired from the format.

At just 24 years old, Gill becomes India’s fifth-youngest Test captain, joining an elite group including Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sachin Tendulkar. Since his Test debut in 2020, Gill has played 32 matches, accumulating 1,893 runs at an average of 35, with five centuries and seven fifties.

Gill acknowledged the challenge posed by England’s aggressive style, stating, "It gives us an opportunity, it gives us a great challenge, if we are very proactive with our execution, and if we are proactive with our plans, I think it would put them under pressure immensely."

The team will be without key veterans Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, who have retired from Test cricket, and Mohammed Shami, who was unfit for selection. This transition places added responsibility on Gill’s shoulders.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed concerns about Gill’s defensive technique and suggested a change in his batting position to better manage the pressures of captaincy. Ponting remarked, "You've got to be 100 per cent committed to every ball that you face through six or seven hours of every day...I think that's the challenge for Shubman."

Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the long-term vision behind Gill’s appointment, saying, "You don’t pick captains for one or two tours. You want to invest in something that will help us going forward. You are hoping it’s the right call."

Gill’s leadership will be closely watched as India embarks on a challenging tour without some of its most experienced players, testing his ability to handle pressure and inspire a relatively young squad.

Shubman Gill has been named India’s new Test captain for the England series, succeeding Rohit Sharma. At 24, Gill becomes the fifth-youngest skipper, facing pressure to lead a team missing veterans Kohli and Ashwin. Experts highlight his need to adapt batting under captaincy demands.