Sourav Ganguly labels Shubman Gill ‘the perfect captain’ ahead of India vs South Africa Test series

Shortly after returning from the Australia tour, where he kicked off his tenure as India's ODI captain, Shubman Gill has already begun preparations for the home Test series against South Africa. The reigning WTC champions have arrived in the subcontinent for the two-match India vs South Africa Test series. The first Test is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 14, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This upcoming series will be Gill's third assignment since taking over as India's Test captain. Unlike his ODI captaincy debut, which saw India lose 1-2 to Australia Down Under, Gill is yet to lose a Test series as captain. Meanwhile, the young skipper has earned high praise from former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

Sourav Ganguly lauds Shubman Gill ahead of the India vs South Africa Test series

Shubman Gill was appointed as India's Test captain ahead of the start of the new WTC cycle. Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli, abruptly announced his Test retirement shortly before the India tour of England began, leaving the BCCI in search of a new skipper. Amid workload management concerns surrounding Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill was given the leadership role, while Rishabh Pant was named the team's vice-captain.

Dispelling the widespread doubts surrounding his selection as India's Test captain, especially with his batting record in SENA conditions under scrutiny, Gill emerged as the standout performer in the India vs England Test series. The youngster led from the front, amassing a record-breaking 754 runs across the five Tests on the tour. Meanwhile, Gill and his relatively inexperienced squad managed to draw the series 2-2, marking an impressive beginning to his captaincy tenure.

Upon his return home, Shubman Gill secured his first Test series victory, overseeing a 2-0 whitewash in the India vs West Indies series. The focus now shifts to the upcoming India vs South Africa encounter, as the young Indian captain prepares to welcome the reigning World Test Champions to home conditions. Meanwhile, ahead of the highly anticipated red-ball contest, former India captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly lauded Gill, even referring to him as “the perfect captain.”

"Shubman Gill is a fantastic batter and a perfect captain. He captained India remarkably in England. As a young boy, going to England and captaining in England is not easy. He is a perfect captain and will continue to do well for India as a captain. My good wishes to him. Gill is an all-format player and a fantastic player. I wish him all the best," Ganguly said.