As India prepares for a five-match Test series in England, Shastri has endorsed the team.
There is a leadership gap in Test cricket due to the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, which begs the issue of who will succeed Rohit as captain.
And here’s more.
Shastri Praises Gill’s Leadership Potential
Former India coach Ravi Shastri praised Shubman Gill’s potential as a future leader during his appearance on The ICC Review. Highlighting the challenges of transitioning from the IPL to Test cricket, he said:
“He’ll have played IPL cricket, which is four-over cricket. Now will come the test of bowling 10–15 overs.”
Shastri expressed confidence in Gill’s temperament and leadership abilities, emphasizing the importance of grooming young talent for future responsibilities.
“You groom somebody. And I would say Shubman’s looked very good.”
Pant Also in the Fray for Captaincy
Shastri also named Rishabh Pant as a strong candidate for leadership, citing his experience and age. Both Pant and Gill have been leading their respective franchises in the IPL and have shown promise as captains.
“They’ve got experience as captains now, captaining their franchise. And that makes a difference.”
Shastri described Gill as composed and calm, possessing key qualities essential for leadership.
Shastri Urges Caution on Bumrah Captaincy
While acknowledging Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership potential, especially after his performances in Australia, Shastri advised caution due to the fast bowler’s recent injury recovery.
“I don’t want Jasprit to be made captain and then you lose him as a bowler. He’s coming back now after a serious injury.”
Gill Emerging as the Front-runner
According to ESPNcricinfo, Shubman Gill is currently the frontrunner for India’s captaincy in the longer formats. He has established himself as a regular in the Test squad and is also leading Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
Though Gill has not yet captained India in Tests or ODIs, he led the T20I side in five matches during the Zimbabwe tour when many senior players were rested.
Gill’s Rising Test Record
Shubman Gill has played 32 Test matches, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, with 5 centuries and 7 fifties. In 2024 alone, he featured in 12 Tests, amassing 866 runs at 43.30, which included three hundreds and three fifties.