Shubman Gill to Captain India in England Series: Ricky Ponting's Insights

New Era for Indian Cricket Begins

The upcoming tour of England, starting June 20, signifies a fresh chapter for cricket in India. Notably, the Indian team will be without star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the Test matches. Shubman Gill is set to take on the captaincy, presenting a significant challenge for the squad. Reports suggest that KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to open the batting, while Sai Sudarshan is anticipated to bat at the third position. Gill is expected to come in at number four.

Ricky Ponting's Perspective

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and current coach of the Punjab Kings, shared his thoughts on the lineup during an ICC Review session. He expressed confidence in Sudarshan and Jaiswal as the opening pair, noting Sudarshan's impressive technical skills. Ponting suggested that the team might benefit from having a more experienced player at number three, potentially either KL Rahul or Karun Nair, which could ease Gill's responsibilities as a young captain.

Shubman Gill's Impressive Test Record

Shubman Gill has demonstrated a commendable performance in Test cricket, amassing 1,893 runs over 32 matches, averaging 35.05 runs per innings. His highest score stands at 128, showcasing his ability to make substantial contributions. Throughout his Test career, Gill has achieved 12 centuries and half-centuries, with a strike rate of 59.92, indicating a balanced approach to batting that allows him to build innings effectively.