Shubman Gill Faces Daunting Task as India’s New Test Captain Ahead of England Series

Dhillon Guri
3 Min Read

India is set to begin a high-stakes five-match Test series against England on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, and all eyes are on Shubman Gill, who has recently been appointed as the 37th Test captain of the Indian cricket team. At just 26, Gill steps into a role once held by legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — but he won’t have their presence around him this time.

A Tough Legacy and a Tougher Tour

India’s track record in England hasn’t been encouraging over the years. Since 2007, India has only come close to winning a Test series in England once, underlining the magnitude of the challenge ahead for Gill. Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who has experienced English conditions firsthand, didn’t sugarcoat the reality. Speaking to Sky Sports, Karthik likened Gill’s appointment to walking into a “lion’s den,” emphasizing how demanding and intense the role of India’s Test captain can be—especially in English conditions.

“I really don’t think he has realised the enormity of what it means to be the Test captain for India as of now. He is walking into the lion’s den,” Karthik remarked.

England’s Weakened Bowling Attack: A Silver Lining?

Despite the pressure, there’s a sliver of hope for India. Karthik pointed out that this England side isn’t as threatening with the ball as it has been in the past. The retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad—two of the greatest fast bowlers in Test history—leave England’s bowling attack looking vulnerable.

“Luckily for Shubman Gill, I think the England bowling attack is very vulnerable. That is the only positive I see,” Karthik added.

England has traditionally been a nightmare for visiting teams, regardless of their star power. And even though Gill’s side is relatively young and missing key veterans, the inexperience in England’s bowling lineup might just balance things out.

On the flip side, India’s own bowling unit comes with question marks. Ravichandran Ashwin has retired, and Mohammed Shami hasn’t been picked for the tour. This puts a huge responsibility on Jasprit Bumrah to lead the attack and keep England’s aggressive batters in check.

“They are going to be put under pressure with the bat. When I say bat, I mean England’s batting will definitely put the Indian team under pressure. The bowling is an area that is still a work in progress for England, and that could very well play into India’s hands,” Karthik explained.

With both teams in transition and several new faces in key roles, this Test series promises to be a compelling contest. For Shubman Gill, it’s not just about leading the team—it’s about setting the tone for the future of Indian Test cricket.

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