As India gears up for a new era in Test cricket, Shubman Gill opens up about the transition and the guidance he received from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma before taking over as India’s new red-ball captain. With the five-match Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, Gill steps into a major leadership role, replacing two of India’s greatest Test icons.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the first Test, Gill said, “I met both men during the IPL. They told me about their experiences in England and some of the challenges we might face here.” Gill emphasized the importance of adapting quickly and learning from past battles against England.
He added, “The Test series we played against England in India was one of the best I was part of. Even in that one, many key players were unavailable, yet we managed a dominant 4-1 result. That series didn’t reflect how tough the matches really were. If we replicate that spirit here, it will be key for us.”
Transition in Leadership
The Indian Test team will be without Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin, making this one of the most significant transitional phases in recent memory. The leadership baton now lies with Gill (captain) and Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), while senior players like Bumrah, Jadeja, and KL Rahul remain to provide stability.
New Batting Order Confirmed
Gill also confirmed his new batting position — No. 4, previously held by Kohli. In his 32-Test career, Gill has mostly opened (16 times), but has occasionally batted at No. 3.
The expected batting order for India includes:
- Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan (debut)
- No. 3: Karun Nair (in contention)
- No. 4: Shubman Gill (confirmed)
- Middle & Lower Order: Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
Final Word
With personal advice from India’s recent greats and the backing of head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gill is set for a high-pressure debut as Test captain. The leadership shift, new batting roles, and a relatively inexperienced top order make this a series full of possibilities for India’s next generation.
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