New Delhi: As Shubman Gill prepares to begin his challenging tour of England as India’s new Test captain, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has expressed confidence that the young batter is ready to take on the world despite the hurdles ahead.
Gill’s appointment as India’s Test skipper marks the start of a new chapter, especially with senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma absent from the squad. Gill, who was named captain earlier this month following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, becomes the fifth youngest Indian to lead the Test side. His selection over experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant has sparked debate, with some questioning whether he has yet proven himself as a top-tier Test batsman.
Critics point to Gill’s modest Test average of 35.05 across 32 matches and his underwhelming record in England—scoring only 88 runs in six innings at an average of 14.66 over three Tests. However, Kapil Dev urges fans and critics to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. “It doesn’t matter what his average was on the previous England tour. He was picked for his potential, and I am confident he will excel,” Kapil told Sportstar.
Although Gill has never captained in Test cricket before, Kapil believes the youngster is the right fit for the role and will grow into the responsibility. “It won’t be easy, especially in England and Australia, but someone has to step up. The selectors have made this decision with a purpose—it’s a long-term investment. Gill will need support from his team and the fans, but he’s young and will learn to bring out the best in himself and his teammates,” he said.
This tour also sees a relatively young Indian squad, including newcomers Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, while seasoned players like Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair return after strong domestic performances. Kapil sees this as an advantage. “The expectations are not very high because the team is young, and sometimes it’s better to be the underdog. That pressure can help them perform better.”
Kapil also emphasized that while Gill is ready to lead, he must remain vigilant, especially in the demanding conditions of England. “Gill will learn to shoulder responsibility. A good batting form will be key to his success. I’m happy for him because he looks like a solid batsman, but he must remember never to relax when playing in England,” Kapil warned.
As Shubman Gill embarks on this significant leadership journey, all eyes will be on how he navigates the pressures of captaincy and leads a young Indian side on one of cricket’s toughest tours.
