Shubman Gill takes charge: Can India's new Test captain lead them to their first WTC title?

India’s Test team is entering a new era after the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Shubman Gill, one of the most promising young batters, has been given the mantle of the captaincy. The announcement comes ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England starting 20 June. It is going to be a tough challenge for Gill, given that he has never captained a Test match before.

Shubman Gill’s journey in red-ball cricket began with the 2020-21 tour of Australia, where he made a name for himself with a match-winning knock at the Gabba. Since then, he has become a regular in India’s Test side, scoring 1,893 runs from 32 matches at an average of 35.05. While he has performed well on home soil with an average of 42, his overseas form remains a concern, where he is averaging just 25.

The upcoming England tour is his first full Test series in English conditions. Until now, he has only played in England during the 2021 and 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) Finals and the COVID-hit fifth Test match of the 2021-22 series. He has 88 runs from six innings in English conditions. Leading the team in these challenging conditions will test both his batting and leadership skills.

What are the challenges awaiting Gill?

Taking over as Test captain in the post-Rohit, post-Kohli, and post-Ashwin era is no easy task. The Indian team is in transition and Gill will have to deal with all the challenges that are expected to come along. The biggest challenge for him will be his inexperience in leadership in the longest format. Even though he has tasted measurable success as captain in the Indian Premier League, Gill is yet to prove his mettle at the biggest of stages.

Another thing that is expected to trouble Gill in his first assignment as captain are the conditions in England. The English conditions have historically challenged Indian batters and Gill is no exception. As mentioned above, Gill doesn’t have a good batting average outside India and his overall numbers are also not that impressive. Gill’s performance in England has not been up to the mark and if he fails to get going at the start of the series, it might become a big headache not just for him but for the entire squad.

Even though it is believed that the camaraderie in the Indian dressing room is positive, Gill might face some issues in managing senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. They are currently the only big names left from the Ro-Ko era and Gill will have to be very careful in how he manages them. But, the Indian youngster will have some help from his deputy Rishabh Pant and head coach Gautam Gambhir when it comes to dealing with these stars.

Is Gill the right choice for captaincy?

It is a bold call by the Indian selectors but not surprising. Gill’s name was already circulating in the media before the official announcement was made by the BCCI. His leadership in the ongoing IPL season has been brilliant, with his team Gujarat Titans currently occupying the top spot on the points table. Former cricketers and experts have come out in support of the decision, backing Gill to do well as a captain in the red-ball format.

Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who played with him at Kolkata Knight Riders, called Gill a “natural leader.” Ex-India coach Sanjay Bangar, former opener Aakash Chopra, and commentator Harsha Bhogle also echoed the same views. Gill has captained India in shorter formats before and is currently the vice-captain of the ODI team. However, leading in Test cricket, especially away from home, is a completely different thing. His true test will be how he handles pressure and if it affects his batting.

Can Gill deliver the maiden WTC title?

India have reached the World Test Championship final twice, in 2021 and 2023, only to fall short each time. India lost the 2021 edition to New Zealand and went down in the 2023 final against Australia. In the 2025 cycle, India finished third after losing back-to-back series to the above-mentioned sides. Now, the goal is not just a series win in England but building a consistent Test unit that can win the next WTC cycle.

Gill has a strong squad and support from senior players like Bumrah, Jadeja, and Pant. He will also be backed by Gambhir and the BCCI. It will be interesting to see if he has the ability to inspire the team to do something special that even Rohit and Kohli couldn’t achieve in their illustrious careers.