India vs England: Will Shubman Gill succeed as India Test captain?

The appointment of Shubman Gill as India’s new Test captain has sparked mixed reactions across the cricketing world. While some experts and fans have voiced their concerns about his inexperience and the challenges of leading in the traditional format, legendary former Australian skipper Steve Waugh has backed the young Punjab batter, offering a strong vote of confidence. Waugh praised Gill’s composure, technique, and maturity beyond his years, suggesting that he has the qualities needed to lead India successfully in the demanding Test arena. At just 25 years old, Shubman Gill has become India’s 37th Test captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma, who officially announced his retirement from red-ball cricket on May 7.

India vs England: Shubman Gill to have a fresh challenge as India Test captain

With this milestone, Gill also becomes the fifth-youngest captain in the history of Indian Test cricket. His first assignment as skipper will be a challenging one — a five-Test series in England against Ben Stokes and his side. The tour will not only test Gill’s leadership but also mark the beginning of a new chapter for Team India as it kicks off the 2025-2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. As a new era dawns, all eyes will be on how Gill navigates the team through one of the toughest tours in world cricket.

Steve Waugh, the legendary former Australian captain, has thrown his support behind Shubman Gill following the young batter’s appointment as India’s new Test captain. Waugh described Shubman as an "excellent player" who not only possesses technical brilliance but also displays remarkable composure in high-pressure situations — a crucial trait for leading at the highest level. According to Waugh, Gill has already shown that he can handle the demands of international cricket and has the mental strength needed to succeed as a leader.

In addition to praising his on-field abilities, Waugh also highlighted Gill’s maturity and the respect he commands within the Indian dressing room. He noted that Gill is a thoughtful cricketer, someone who evaluates situations well and makes smart decisions — qualities that will serve him well in his captaincy journey. However, Waugh also issued a word of caution to Indian cricket stakeholders and fans, urging them to be patient. He emphasized that leadership is a responsibility that takes time to master, especially at such a young age. Waugh believes that with proper support, faith, and time to grow into the role, Shubman Gill has the potential to become one of India’s finest Test captains in the years to come.

"But they're in good hands. Shubham Gill is an excellent player. Very good under pressure. Thinks well. He's respected by his team, so he'll be a good choice, but you've got to give him time to grow into the role. It's a big responsibility. Representing 1.4 to 1.5 billion people. A lot of pressure," said former Australian captain Steve Waugh. 

Shubman Gill has established himself as a formidable force in One Day Internationals (ODIs), consistently delivering with the bat. In just 55 ODIs, the stylish right-hander has already amassed 2,775 runs at an outstanding average of 59.04, making him one of India's most prolific batters in the format in recent years. However, his transition to Test cricket has been less impactful. In 32 Test matches, Gill has accumulated 1,893 runs at a modest average of 35.06 — numbers that fall short of expectations given his evident talent. His struggles have been particularly noticeable in overseas conditions, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, where he averages just 25.70. Despite these challenges, there is little doubt about the potential he holds, and many believe it's only a matter of time before he finds his rhythm in red-ball cricket.

On the leadership front, Gill has shown promising signs. He captained India in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare last year, guiding a young and relatively inexperienced side to a convincing 4-1 series win. His calm demeanor and tactical awareness impressed many, suggesting that he may be well-suited for long-term leadership responsibilities. Currently, Gill is also leading the Gujarat Titans in the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his captaincy, the former champions have had a successful run, securing a place in the playoffs with nine wins from 14 league games. His growing experience as a leader across formats could serve him well in his new Test role.