Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has thrown his full support behind Shubman Gill as India’s new Test captain, urging the team management to back the young leader for at least three years—regardless of the outcome of the ongoing Test series against England. Gill took over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, with Virat Kohli also stepping away from international cricket, marking a new era for Indian cricket.
Speaking to Wisden, Shastri praised Gill’s maturity and composure under pressure. “He’s matured a lot. The way he handles the media, the way he talks at press conferences, at tosses—he’s matured a lot,” said Shastri. “Let him be there for three years. Don’t chop and change irrespective of what happens in the series. Stick with him, and I think he will deliver.”
Shastri also lauded Gill’s batting style and potential. “I’ll be disappointed if Gill doesn’t go places. He has that languid, lazy elegance—there’s something regal about him when he’s out there. With exposure and adaptability, I believe he’s one of the names to watch.”
Gill, who made his Test captaincy debut against England, joins an elite group of Indian cricketers—Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar—who have scored centuries on Test captaincy debut. Despite India’s loss in the first match of the series, the 24-year-old has earned praise from both former players and teammates.
Pacer Prasidh Krishna also spoke highly of Gill’s leadership in a press conference, saying: “He did a pretty good job. The way he rotated the bowlers, made sure everyone had breaks, and communicated well—it was very effective. He’s been creating a very positive atmosphere in the dressing room.”
As India transitions into a new phase with a fresh crop of leaders and players, Shubman Gill is seen as a symbol of the team’s future. With influential voices like Shastri and encouraging performances, there is growing belief that Gill could be India’s long-term Test captain.
