Make or mar for new Test captain Shubman Gill

Call it the dawn of a new era or a voyage into the unknown, Indian Test cricket is in for testing times. As mentioned earlier by this writer, Shubman Gill has been named as the new skipper for the long format. One Turf New had also written almost ten day back, Rishabh Pant will be the vice-captain, which has come true, as India prepare for the five-Test series in England.

For weeks, there had been speculation, how a new-look Test side will be in place, since the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had created a huge vacuum. Worse, it is not just the batting order which will be tested in the English summer, which can be cool and wet, but also the fast bowling attack.

Jasprit Bumrah had bowled his heart out in the BGT Series in Australia. As stressed by chairman of selection committee, while addressing the press conference on Saturday, Bumrah may not play more than three Tests. His back can longer shoulder the same load like before. There has to be workload management, and the 31-year-old speedster has to take care of his body. As of today, Bumrah is an all-format bowler and needs to prolong his career.

Interestingly, even as Gill has been elevated as skipper, there is concern if he can produce the same form in the middle order in England. Scoring runs in the IPL is different from England, where their fast bowlers and even Shoaib Bashir, the Pakistan-born spinner, is doing well. There is even a crazy possibility, if Gill flops, Pant could take over the reins in England as stand-in captain.

For those with a myopic vision and blaming Pant for his flop show in the IPL 2025, there is no doubt he is a different commodity in Test cricket. As a keeper, he is a class act. In the past as well, Pant has done well in England. This is a redemption of sorts for him, since coach Gautam Gambhir did not use him in the Champions Trophy in Dubai. His first choice as keeper was KL Rahul.

In Tests, Pant has been a source of inspiration and energy. He provides feedback to the bowlers and also the skipper. His view is the best from behind the stumps and it helps in taking DRS (decision review system) calls. For those who see spunk in Pant, do not forget in the BGT Series in England, Pant had done his bit. He took body blows in the last Test and still scored runs. As a Test batter, his unconventional approach still works.

The worry for India will be in fast bowling. First, Bumrah cannot play all Tests. Second, Mohd Shami, has been left out as he is not fit. In a recent interview, Shami had said he is trying hard to get his fitness back but since the time he underwent an Achilles Heel surgery, he is just not the same bowler. There was massive media hype, Shami would even be taken to Australia. For all those who follow the sport, Shami had swelling on his feet after bowling in the Ranji Trophy. Worse, he has been very average in the ongoing IPL. Age is catching up with Shami and Test cricket may become history for him.

Looking at the 16-member team selected, it is good the BCCI selectors have looked at performance in first class cricket and also past records. That is how an oldie like Karun Nair has been drafted in, even as Sai Sudharsan and a few more have made the cut.

As a macro view, why the BCCI does not want to include Shreyas Iyer, a man in form is baffling. For Agarkar to say there is no room for Shreyas is shocking. He has done well in first class cricket and the IPL. There is a genuine feeling, coach Gautam Gambhir does not like Shreyas. Sad, as Shreyas has been a standout performer.

To be sure, this is a voyage into the unknown for Indian Test cricket with new men coming in and a new leader. One has to be patient and wait for the results. The away tours can make or mar Shubman Gill.