When Shubman Gill leads the Indian Test team in the opening Test of the five Test match series in the opening Test at Headingley, the 25-year-old will be the fifth youngest Indian Test captain to do so. The Punjab cricketer is India’s youngest Test captain since Sachin Tendulkar, who had become India’s Test captain at the age of 23. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (21), Kapil Dev (24) and Ravi Shastri (25 years, but 55 days younger) were the other three youngest Indian Test captains. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called the elevation of Gill as Indian Test captain as a ‘bold move’ and believes the Indian youngster has a lot to prove.
“ is officially the new face of Indian Test cricket, stepping up as captain for the England series. It’s a bold move, trusting a young leader with a new-look team after the retirements of giants like Rohit and Kohli. Gill has a lot to prove, especially away from home, but he has shown he has the temperament for big moments,” Vaughan told Sports Network.
The 25-year-old has so far played in 32 Test matches for India since his debut against Australia at Melbourne in 2020. Gill has so far scored 1,893 runs including five centuries and seven half-centuries in Test cricket. BCCI had announced Gill as India’s 37th Test captain last month and with being appointed his deputy, it has to be seen how the Gill-Pant duo take the Indian Test team forward. Vaughan believes the upcoming England tour could be the start of something special for India. “With Rishabh Pant as his deputy and a squad eager to make their mark, this England tour could be the start of something special for India’s next generation. Don’t be surprised if these youngsters rise to the occasion,” Vaughan added.
India last won a Test series against England in England in 2007 when the led Indian team scored a 1-0 win in the three-Test series against England. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, who had captained India in 47 Tests, shared how everyone is eager to see Gill and company rise to the occasion and carve out their legacy.
“There’s always something special about an Indian team touring England, and this time, with a new young captain and terrific young players, the excitement and anticipation among fans are at an all-time high. Everyone is eager to see how these young cricketers will rise to the occasion and carve out their legacy,” Gavaskar told Sony Sports Network.
