Shubman Gill Test captain is the biggest headline in Indian cricket right now. After Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, Gill steps up as India’s new red-ball leader. His first major test will be the five-match Test series against England, starting June 20. This tour also marks India’s opening challenge in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.
Pant Becomes Vice-Captain, Bumrah Focuses on Fitness
Rishabh Pant has been appointed vice-captain for the England tour. Jasprit Bumrah, who had previously led the side in Rohit’s absence, was not considered this time. According to selectors, managing Bumrah’s workload remains a top priority.
Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, confirmed that Bumrah might not be available for all five Tests. The team prefers to keep him fresh for the key matches rather than burden him with captaincy. His presence as a bowler remains crucial, especially in overseas conditions.
Selectors Explain Why Shubman Gill Is Test Captain
Gill’s elevation didn’t happen overnight. Over the past year, the selectors evaluated his leadership potential. Feedback from teammates and consistent improvement—especially in the IPL with Gujarat Titans—worked in his favor. Although Gill has never captained in Tests, he led the Indian T20I side during the 2024 Zimbabwe tour.
Agarkar explained that this isn’t a short-term fix. The team wants to invest in a long-term leader as it transitions beyond Rohit and Kohli. The upcoming England series will challenge Gill, but the selectors trust his maturity and skill to handle it.
England Tour Set to Test New Leadership
India’s tour starts with a warm-up game against India A in Beckenham from June 13 to 16. The five Tests will be played at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
Gill has scored 1893 runs in 32 Tests with an average of 35.05. His away average, however, sits at 27.53. As Shubman Gill Test captain begins this new chapter, the team hopes for a strong start to a challenging campaign.
