New Delhi: As India gears up for a grueling five-match Test series against England, all eyes are on 25-year-old Shubman Gill, who is set to lead the Indian Test team for the first time. Appointed captain on May 24, Gill will officially begin his tenure as India’s 37th Test skipper when the series kicks off at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20. And ahead of his captaincy debut, Gill has received a ringing endorsement from teammate and star spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Kuldeep, speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, expressed full confidence in Gill’s leadership capabilities, saying the young batter is “fully ready to lead” the Indian side. “Shubman knows how to lead a team,” Kuldeep said. “He has worked under seniors for the past couple of years, and has been actively involved in discussions with Rohit bhai across formats. I’m sure he has picked up a lot.”
According to Kuldeep, Gill’s approach to leadership is already visible in team preparations. “Over the last three or four sessions, I’ve seen the same leadership qualities in Shubman that we’ve witnessed in previous captains. He’s very motivated and focused on lifting the team’s spirits,” Kuldeep added.
Gill, a technically gifted top-order batter from Punjab, has already played 32 Test matches for India. His elevation to captaincy comes at a crucial juncture, as the team transitions into a new leadership phase following Rohit Sharma’s tenure. The series against England will be his first major test as skipper on home soil.
Kuldeep Yadav, who has claimed 56 wickets in just 13 Test matches, will also play a pivotal role in the upcoming series. As the second-most experienced spinner in the squad after Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep is expected to spearhead India’s spin attack, especially on turning tracks.
The left-arm wrist spinner spoke fondly about his partnership with Jadeja and credited the senior all-rounder for his development. “Playing alongside Jadeja is a great honour,” he said. “Both Jadeja and [Ravichandran] Ashwin have been phenomenal over the years. They helped me a lot when I debuted, and I continue to learn from them.”
Kuldeep also noted that Jadeja has been mentoring him during this series’ preparations, particularly when it comes to tactical adjustments and field placements. “We’ve been discussing how to bowl to specific English batters based on their current form and techniques. I’m spending time with him not just on the field, but also off it—and that’s helped me a lot,” he revealed.
As the Indian squad enters a new era under Gill’s leadership, the camaraderie and experience shared by players like Kuldeep and Jadeja may prove vital. With a strong blend of youth and experience, Team India hopes to start this new chapter with a commanding performance in England.
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