Can Shubman Gill become India’s next successful Test captain?

Shubman Gill

The landscape of Indian cricket changed dramatically after the triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India lifted the trophy in style, and it felt like the end of an era. Soon after, both Virat Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement from T20 internationals. The news that followed stunned the cricketing world even more. The two giants, along with India’s veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, decided to bid goodbye to red ball cricket as well.

Shubman Gill has everything to become a prominent leader in red-ball cricket.

With three of India’s biggest match winners stepping away, the question was obvious. Who would carry the weight of Test cricket’s most demanding leadership role? Among the names in contention, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul, it was Shubman Gill who was handed the reins. The selectors saw in him something special. A composed head, a hungry batter, and a player ready to take bold decisions.

And Gill’s first few steps as the leader of India’s Test side have shown that the choice may well turn out to be a masterstroke.

Early Days of Captaincy and a Historic Win at Edgbaston

He has already recorded a history win at Edgbaston for the first time ever in Indian cricket history.

Gill’s first assignment as India’s Test captain was as challenging as it gets. A five-match Test series against England, a side known for their aggressive brand of cricket at home. To make matters harder, India entered this series without Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin. Bumrah was also unavailable for one of the games. The pressure was intense, and critics lined up ready to question the young captain.

But Gill showed his steel early on. Under his leadership, India recorded a famous victory at Edgbaston, a venue where India had never won a Test match before. He marshaled his bowlers smartly, set attacking fields, and displayed the kind of composure rare for a first-time captain on English soil. Though the series stands at 2 to 1 in favor of England with two matches to go, Gill’s captaincy and batting have been standout positives for India.

Captaincy Unlocks the Best Version of Gill the Batter

He has scored 3 centuries in 6 innings, which includes a magnificent double century.

Some players thrive when the responsibility of leadership rests on their shoulders. Shubman Gill seems to be one of them. In his first six innings as captain, he has piled up over 600 runs. This purple patch includes a double century and two other hundreds. His average since taking over the captaincy has been staggering, and more importantly, his runs have come in testing conditions and crunch moments.

Gill’s success as a batter in SENA countries was already well known. He had centuries in Australia and a fine record in England before becoming captain. But with the added role of leading the team, Gill’s batting has looked even more assured. He plays with a mix of grit and elegance, countering hostile bowling attacks while never letting the scoreboard stagnate.

His performances have silenced every critic who doubted whether the extra responsibility would weigh him down. If anything, it has elevated him.

A Leader Surrounded by Sharp Cricketing Minds

One of the biggest strengths for Gill in his captaincy journey has been the team of brains working around him. Gautam Gambhir, known for his sharp tactical acumen, has been a key figure in shaping Gill’s approach. The combination of Gambhir’s aggressive mindset and Gill’s calm leadership has brought fresh energy to the Indian Test side. They have introduced bold selection calls such as playing three all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, giving the team better balance in both departments.

Alongside Gambhir, the support staff includes Paddy Upton as the mental conditioning coach and Morne Morkel as the bowling coach. This setup has created a professional yet fearless environment in the dressing room. Gill has embraced this with open arms, and it reflects in the way he leads on the field. The captain and coach duo have brought clarity in roles, confidence in youngsters, and a no-nonsense approach to execution.

The Kohli Spirit Runs Deep in Gill’s Leadership

Gill isn’t afraid of giving it back. No matter if it’s the players or the umpires.

There are traces of Virat Kohli’s fire in Shubman Gill. While Gill carries himself with his own distinct personality, he has shown that he is not afraid to engage the opposition with both words and actions. He backs his bowlers, challenges the opposition with aggressive field settings, and is not shy of giving it back when sledged.

More importantly, he walks the talk with the bat. Gill leads from the front, setting the tone for his team. His willingness to take responsibility and his competitive edge on the field remind many of the early days of Kohli’s captaincy. This mix of calm leadership, aggressive intent, and leading by example is what sets Gill apart from many other young captains.

Winning Without Bumrah and Standing Tall

In modern Test cricket, winning in England is tough. Winning without your premier strike bowler is even tougher. But in his very first series, Gill showed he could inspire a team to victory without Jasprit Bumrah. The win at Edgbaston came with a bowling attack missing its leader. Gill trusted his options, rotated his bowlers smartly, and kept the pressure on the opposition.

This ability to adapt to situations and still find ways to win speaks volumes about his leadership skills. While the sample size of his captaincy career is still small, the early signs are promising. He is learning on the job, but already looks comfortable in the role.

The Making of Another Successful Indian Test Captain

Great Test captains are not made overnight. It takes character, vision, and the ability to handle both success and failure. Shubman Gill, in his early days as skipper, has shown glimpses of all these qualities. His proactive approach, tactical maturity, and hunger to win make him a strong contender to become India’s next great leader in whites.

With Gautam Gambhir guiding him, a strong support staff backing him, and a group of young players rallying around him, Gill is laying the foundation for a long and successful captaincy career. His performances with the bat ensure that he commands respect within the team and among fans. The changes he is bringing in, both tactically and in mindset, reflect a leader who is not afraid to break norms and push boundaries.

If he continues on this path, India may well have found a captain who can take them through the next generation of Test cricket with the same grit and passion shown by the greats before him.