Can Gill Foster a Collective Culture in the New Indian Team?

New Delhi, June 6 (NationPress) Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra asserts that Shubman Gill has a remarkable opportunity to nurture a cohesive culture as the captain of the Test team, which is poised to embark on a fresh journey during the five-match Test series in England, commencing on June 20.

Under Gill's guidance, the Test series in England marks India's inaugural challenge in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. "Establish a leadership group—bring together 4–5 players and cultivate a core. Include Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Create a pack of wolves. These players will be alongside you today, in six months, and five years from now," Chopra emphasized.

“With a youthful squad, it's essential that the captain evolves with the group. Veteran and rookie players often follow different paths—but with this revamped team, there’s a unique chance to forge a collective culture. It’s a rare opportunity to create a bond and a narrative that the entire nation will take pride in,” Chopra stated on JioHotstar.

When asked if Gill should look to Virat Kohli's successful Test career for inspiration, Chopra remarked, “You can draw motivation from Kohli’s accomplishments, his relentless pursuit of runs, and his leadership style—but not necessarily his batting position. That’s an individual decision. Likewise, Shubman should play where he contributes best.”

“Batting order isn’t about mimicking others—it’s about finding your place in the team and how it serves the group. Learn from Kohli’s mentality, and consider playing with an additional bowler if required. That’s what true leaders do—make sacrifices for the team,” he added.

Chopra also acknowledged the pressures the Gill-led Indian team and support staff, including Gautam Gambhir, will face in England, stressing the importance of selecting bowlers capable of collectively securing 20 wickets.

“There should be pressure, and it’s part of the job. When representing India and carrying the hopes of 1.4 billion people, it comes with immense affection—even from those who have never seen you but still pray for your triumph. However, with that affection comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes pressure,” he noted.

“I align with Gautam Gambhir’s assertion that taking 20 wickets is crucial. I hope the team keeps that in mind. Previously, I felt the bowling lineup didn’t prioritize taking 20 wickets. We must avoid making that mistake again,” he warned.

“There’s always the temptation—if you get bowled out early, you want to add an extra batter. But that’s a trap. You compromise your bowling strength. Let’s not fall into that trap again,” he concluded.