Shikhar Dhawan reckons Shubman Gill is the perfect choice for India's Test captaincy

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian opener who partnered with Shubman Gill in ODIs toward the end of his international career, has backed the young Punjab batter as the ideal choice to lead India in Test cricket. Dhawan praised Gill’s temperament, skills, and consistent performances, emphasizing that he possesses all the qualities needed to captain the national team in the red-ball format. Shubman Gill, aged 25, has now taken over the reins from Rohit Sharma, becoming the 37th Test captain of India. He is set to begin his leadership journey during the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Dhawan expressed confidence in Gill’s capabilities, pointing out that the youngster has grown significantly as a player over the years.

He highlighted Gill's impressive run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his steady presence in the Indian team across formats as key reasons why the leadership responsibility is well-deserved. According to Dhawan, Gill's calm demeanor and deep understanding of the game will serve him well in the longest format. With a crucial overseas challenge ahead, Indian cricket fans will be eager to see how Gill navigates his first major test as captain on English soil, a place that has tested many Indian leaders in the past.

“I feel it's a great choice. Shubman has performed really well in the IPL recently. He is a great talent and has matured — he’s been playing for the Indian team for several years now. I feel he’s the perfect candidate to take on the Test captaincy, and I’m sure he will handle it well and lead the team together. This is the new generation now — Gen Z — and I’m confident he’ll do a great job. All my best wishes to him," stated former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. 

In addition to sharing his thoughts on Shubman Gill's Test captaincy, Shikhar Dhawan also voiced his support for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Dhawan believes that the five-time champions have what it takes to go all the way once again. He praised the franchise for maintaining a well-balanced squad, blending experienced players with emerging talent effectively.

According to Dhawan, Mumbai Indians have been steadily gaining momentum in recent matches, and their form suggests they are peaking at the right time. He acknowledged the team’s strategic planning, depth in both batting and bowling departments, and their ability to perform under pressure. Dhawan’s endorsement of MI adds weight to the belief that the franchise remains a formidable contender for the IPL title, as they aim to add a sixth trophy to their illustrious cabinet. Fans will be watching closely to see if MI can live up to expectations.

Mumbai Indians advanced to Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 after securing a 20-run victory over Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator held on Friday, May 30, in Mullanpur. The win marked a crucial step forward for MI, who displayed strong all-round performance to knock out the Titans from the tournament. With this victory, Hardik Pandya and his team have earned a place in Qualifier 2, where they will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday, June 1. PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss in Qualifier 1. They were defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by eight wickets, failing to defend their total as RCB chased it down comfortably.

“This time, the IPL has been very exciting. For the finals, my support will be with Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai Indians team is playing really well — they are very balanced. The way they've gained momentum is outstanding, and they are a very strong and well-balanced team. So, I'm with Mumbai Indians,” Dhawan concluded.