Shubman Gill Crowned as New Captain of Indian Test Cricket Team

Shubman Gill has officially been appointed as the captain of the Indian Test cricket team, leading them on their upcoming tour of England. This significant decision by the BCCI marks a new era in Indian cricket, transitioning from the Kohli and Rohit phase. Gill, who has shown promise in his previous leadership roles, is seen as a long-term investment for the team. With support from experienced players like Rishabh Pant, Gill aims to prove himself in this high-pressure role. The team will embark on a challenging series of five Tests against England, starting June 20, 2025. Read on to discover more about Gill's journey and what this means for the future of Indian cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2025, 02:13 IST

A New Era Begins for Indian Cricket

Today marks a significant milestone as Shubman Gill, the promising heir to Indian Test cricket, has been officially appointed as the captain.

The 25-year-old Gill, whose family relocated from the rural areas of Fazilka to the cricket-centric city of Mohali to support his aspirations, will lead the Indian Test team during their upcoming tour of England starting June 20.

This appointment signals a transformative phase for Indian cricket following the tenures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen Gill over seasoned players like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, viewing him as a long-term investment.

Having captained India in five T20 matches during last year's Zimbabwe tour, as well as leading the Punjab Ranji team and the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, the BCCI is confident in Gill's temperament, assertiveness, and leadership qualities, believing he is the right choice to advance the Indian Test team.

Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of India's selection committee, stated, “We gather feedback from various sources, and we are optimistic that he is the right person for this high-pressure role. He is an exceptional player, and we wish him the best.” Gill has received praise from cricket legends and has been mentored by former India coach Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra, all of whom have prepared him for this leadership position. Agarkar noted that Bumrah was not considered for captaincy due to workload management, while Rishabh Pant is expected to support Gill with his experience.

Since making his Test debut on December 26, 2020, in Australia, Gill has participated in 32 Tests, amassing 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05. From his very first match, he was hailed as “the next big thing in Indian cricket” and a “classy batter” by fans and experts alike, although some critics argue he has yet to meet the expectations set for him, particularly highlighting the disparity between his home (42.03) and away (27.53) averages. He served as vice-captain for India in the U-19 World Cup in 2018.

In a recent talk show, Cheteshwar Pujara, who will not be part of the tour alongside Ajinkya Rahane, remarked, “Shubman is a mature cricketer. He is young and has much to prove, especially in Test cricket.”

Gill, now the 37th Test captain, is the third from his region, following in the footsteps of Lala Amarnath and Bishan Singh Bedi. India will kick off the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle with five Tests against England, scheduled to take place at Headingley (starting June 20), Edgbaston (July 2), Lord’s (July 10), Old Trafford (July 23), and The Oval (July 3).