Could Shubman Gill Be the Next Test Captain for India?

New Delhi, May 19 (NationPress) Following Rohit Sharma's recent retirement from Test cricket, the conversation has shifted towards identifying his potential successor as captain. While Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul are frequently mentioned, Shubman Gill has emerged as a leading candidate for the role of India's next Test captain.

Over the past year, Gill has had significant exposure to leadership positions – stepping up as the captain of the Gujarat Titans after Hardik Pandya's return to the Mumbai Indians. Although GT did not qualify for the playoffs, Gill’s leadership qualities were evident, leading to his selection as captain for the T20I series in Zimbabwe last year and his elevation to ODI vice-captain.

After his impressive 93 not out and a record 205-run partnership with B Sai Sudharsan, helping GT defeat Delhi Capitals by ten wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium, assistant coach Aashish Kapoor noted that Gill has consistently demonstrated superior strategic thinking compared to his peers at the U16 level.

“If you evaluate Shubman as a batsman and cricketer, it's clear he possesses a deep understanding of his game. From my experience in two camps at the NCA during his U16 days, it was evident that he utilized his intellect far more effectively than many of his contemporaries,” Kapoor remarked.

“This quality is essential for a captain, where you must think not just for yourself but for ten others. How do you strategize to win matches? We recognized this potential and decided to give him the opportunity when Hardik left. We could have chosen a more experienced leader, but we believed in him,” Kapoor added during the post-match press conference.

IPL 2024 marked Gill's initial foray into a leadership role, which proved challenging due to Pandya's departure and Mohammed Shami's injury. Coupled with his personal struggles, it was a rocky start for Gill in his captaincy journey.

However, in IPL 2025, with the team bolstered through the auction, Gill seems to have matured into a more confident leader. During a recent match, he adeptly adjusted his field settings, adhered to bowling strategies, and despite a controversial choice to hand the 16th over to R Sai Kishore—resulting in 15 runs—he presented himself as a captain who has command over both himself and the match.

“Last year was a test with Hardik's exit and Shami's injury; he was also out of form. Yet, he exhibited determination as a captain. This year, the results are evident. His captaincy remains consistent, but his improved form is benefiting both himself and the team,” Kapoor stated.

“In IPL, it's crucial that your top players remain fit, as injuries can significantly impact your team's performance. Thankfully, we've been fortunate this year,” added Kapoor, a former Indian player who later led the junior men's selection committee.

Within the Indian cricketing community, there’s a view that Gill should be groomed for Test captaincy, particularly during Bumrah's absence for workload management, given his youth and lack of extensive contributions in overseas Tests. Another perspective suggests India should invest in Gill as a long-term Test captain from the onset. Kapoor emphasized that Gill is just beginning his captaincy journey, and it is premature to gauge his potential as a red-ball skipper based solely on his white-ball performances.

“We need to observe how he develops. I am not an astrologer. We are currently focused on T20 cricket. When (MS) Dhoni was appointed captain for the World Cup, he had no prior captaincy experience. No one could have predicted that he would evolve into one of the world's greatest captains over the next decade,” Kapoor concluded.

“If you had asked anyone, including Dhoni, about his thoughts on captaincy at that time, there would have been no clarity. It takes time to evaluate a person's capabilities. He is just starting, so it's challenging to make any predictions.”