BCCI and Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has announced the rising Indian superstar Shubman Gill as a new red ball skipper for the England tour 2025. This appointment of Shubman Gill marks a new transition in Team India for the new WTC cycle from 2025 -27.
In what ultimately proved to be a formality, Shubman Gill was named as Rohit Sharma’s successor following a meeting of the selection committee at the cricket board headquarters at Wankhede Stadium. Shubman Gill will be India’s 37th Test captain. His deputy for the England tour will be Rishabh Pant.
Shubman Gill’s elevation to Test captaincy marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket, coming in the wake of Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. Alongside Rohit Sharma , who had led India since February 2022, fellow stalwarts Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin have also bid farewell to Tests since the start of India’s last Test series.
At 25 years and 258 days, Shubman Gill becomes the fifth-youngest cricketer to captain India in Tests, behind Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21 years, 77 days), Sachin Tendulkar (23 years, 169 days), Kapil Dev (24 years, 48 days), and Ravi Shastri (25 years, 229 days).
Taking from where Rohit Sharma left following his recent retirement announcement from India’s test cricket, the Men in White will now be led by Shubman Gill. BCCI named the 25-year-old young talent as India’s new Test cricket captain. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been selected as vice-captain for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
The announcement, made on Saturday by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, marks a significant new chapter in Indian cricket. Shubman Gill becomes one of the youngest players to lead the Test side, with selectors expressing strong faith in his temperament and leadership potential.
“Last year or so, we have looked at Shubman for leadership. We are hopeful he is the guy to take the team forward. It is a high-pressure job but he is a terrific player,” said chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Speaking in his first interview since being appointed captain of the Indian Test side, India’s star batter, Shubman Gill shared his thoughts with BCCI.tv, reflecting on the responsibility, the legacy he inherits and the road ahead. Shubman Gill was announced as the next Test captain of India while the BCCI announced their 18-men unit for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, that will also mark the beginning of the next World Test Championship cycle.
Newly appointed Indian test skipper Shubman Gill admits the challenges awaiting him during the England series 2025
Newly appointed Team India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill, acknowledged that the upcoming five-match series in England would be a tough one for his side. At the same time, the right-handed batter said he enjoyed playing a five-Test series due to its demanding nature.
Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Tests ahead of the England tour, selectors opted for Gill as the new captain. Speaking in a video uploaded by the BCCI, Gill said, as quoted by ICC:
“My favourite series that I played was also a five-Test match series when England came to India. There’s a different essence when you are playing a five-Test series. It’s long, it’s mentally and physically very challenging. That’s the most exciting thing that I find about red-ball cricket. It’s not going to be easy, but I think we’re ready for any challenge.”
The Asian Giants are also targeting their first Test series win on English soil since 2007. They came close on their last tour, but England won the rescheduled Test in 2022 to level the series 2-2.
When asked how he feels to have been appointed as captain, Shubman Gill admitted it was overwhelming. However, he wanted to concentrate on doing the right things at the right time. He explained:
“It is definitely a bit overwhelming. As a young kid when anyone starts playing cricket, they want to play for India and not just play for India, play Test cricket for a very long time. To be able to get this opportunity is a great honour and it’s a big responsibility. I’m looking forward to this exciting opportunity and the upcoming series against England is going to be an exciting one.
I believe in leading by example, not just by performance, but I think off the field by discipline and hard work. As a captain, a leader should be able to know when to step in and also when to give space to the players.”
However, questions have been raised over his batting form in Tests, especially overseas. The 25-year-old averages a decent 35.05 in 32 Tests, but his average plummets to 14.67 in three Tests on English soil. Shubman Gill is currently captaining the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 where his side has already made it to the Playoffs. Post whatever happens in IPL Skipper Gill is expected to joing the India A squad for a practice game vs England Lions before the all important England tour which begins on June 20 as Indian test team begins its new transition in a new era.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball