‘This is an examination for him': Saba Karim on Shubman Gill's captaincy in upcoming England Test series
Former India selector Saba Karim said that the upcoming England tour will be an exam for new captain Shubman Gill with his success as a captain hinging on his batting performance. In his Test career, Gill has managed just 1,893 runs in 32 Tests at an average just under 32, with four centuries.
'This is an examination for him. I am sure he's ready and up for it. This is a big opportunity for him as a player. He needs to perform with the bat there, if he is able to do so then automatically his captaincy will also flourish,' Karim told PTI Videos on the sidelines of FIT India: Sunday on Cycle event on Sunday.
'I do expect some good results from this young Indian side. The matches will really competitive and I think they are ready for it,' he added.
Gill was appointed the Indian Test captain after veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin called it a day in the longest format.
Karim, meanwhile, also singled out Karun Nair for praise after the batter's double century against England Lions on Saturday.
'Karun (Nair) played well, he now has experience. Sai seems to have grown in stature as an all-format cricketer. He is gaining experience now, I am excited to see how this combination does in England,' he said.
'He (Arshdeep) is a very talented seamer, the previous experience in England will help him and the conditions as well team had to look beyond Shami and I think they picked the right guy, excited to see him in action as well,' he said.
The two-time World Test Championship (WTC) finalists will kickstart the 2025/27 cycle against England with the five Tests at Headingly, Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford and The Oval, with the first match scheduled to begin on June 20.
This will be the fourth series in a row between these two teams in England that will feature the two playing five Tests. The last time India toured England in 2021, the hosts ended up drawing the series (2-2) after the final Test match was postponed to 2022.
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