Cheteshwar Pujara Discusses Shubman Gill's New Role as Test Captain

Cheteshwar Pujara offers his thoughts on Shubman Gill's appointment as India's new Test captain, emphasizing the challenges he will face in England. Pujara believes that while the role comes with significant pressure, it also presents a valuable opportunity for Gill to build confidence. He discusses the importance of separating captaincy from batting responsibilities and shares his views on the team's lineup for the upcoming series. As the cricketing world watches closely, the five-match Test series starting June 20 promises to be a pivotal moment for the young captain.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2025, 19:39 IST

Pujara's Insights on Gill's Captaincy Challenge

On Sunday, veteran Test player Cheteshwar Pujara expressed that it will be a significant challenge for young cricketer Shubman Gill to lead India in the demanding conditions of England. However, he also noted that if Gill succeeds, it could serve as a tremendous confidence booster for him.

Gill was appointed as the new Test captain on Saturday, taking over from Rohit Sharma. This decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Indian Test team following the unexpected retirements of both Rohit and Virat Kohli.

Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from Test cricket within a week of each other this month.

Pujara remarked, 'Captaining abroad is tough, regardless of age. Starting in England will be a challenge for Shubman, but it presents a fantastic opportunity for him. A successful leadership stint there could greatly enhance his confidence.'

He added, 'The selectors chose Shubman over Jasprit Bumrah because Bumrah is likely unavailable for all five Tests.'

During an online session hosted by a Media House, Pujara stated, 'The management believes Shubman has the potential to lead the team for an extended period.'

At 37, Pujara, who last played for India in June 2023 and has not yet announced his retirement, advised Gill to separate his responsibilities as captain from his batting duties.

'He carries a lot of weight as a batsman, but I am confident in his talent to succeed in England. This role will motivate him to perform better. While captaincy may not always bring out the best in him, he has consistently aimed to contribute positively to the team,' Pujara explained.

'When batting at the highest level, a player should focus on their performance rather than their captaincy role. It's crucial to compartmentalize these responsibilities,' he added.

Pujara, who has amassed 7,195 runs in 103 Tests since his debut in 2010, believes that the captaincy will not alter Gill's aggressive batting style.

'I don't foresee any changes in his batting approach. He should continue to play his natural game, being aggressive and taking calculated risks while adapting to the English conditions,' he noted.

Pujara also defended the decision to appoint Rishabh Pant as vice-captain for the England tour, despite Pant's recent struggles.

'With Bumrah out of the captaincy and vice-captaincy picture, Pant was the logical choice. Although he has faced challenges in T20s, he has been one of the top performers in Test cricket, especially in England, and is capable of replicating his past successes,' he stated.

Pujara expressed his preference for KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue as openers, while suggesting Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran for the number three position.

'The openers from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series—KL Rahul and Yashasvi—should remain. As for number three, it's uncertain whether Shubman will bat there or drop to number four,' he said.

'If Shubman bats at number four, then either Abhimanyu Eshwaran or Karun Nair could fit well in the number three slot. However, I would prefer to see Shubman at number three,' he added.

'Karun has excelled in domestic cricket, and his ideal position would be number four. If Shubman is at number three, then Karun should follow at number four. If Shubman drops to number four, the choice for number three would be between Abhimanyu Eshwaran or Sai Sudharsan.'

The five-match Test series is set to commence in Leeds on June 20.