Not going to be easy: Shastri's advice for new India skipper
Leeds, June 19 (UNI) Shubman Gill is set to lead India in red-ball cricket for the very first time in the high-profile five-Test tour of England, and former head coach Ravi Shastri has shared thoughtful words of advice for the young batter.
Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review, Shastri emphasised patience and composure as key for the young leader stepping into one of the most challenging roles.
'I think, take your time,' Shastri said, offering his initial guidance to the 25-year-old Gill.
'It's not going to be easy. He's been asked to do a tough job, that is to captain India on a tour of England,' Shastri said.
It is still early days in Gill's Test career, with 1893 runs at a 35.05 average in 32 matches, since making his debut in December 2020.
With English conditions known for testing even the most seasoned of cricketers, Gill's leadership debut will be one to look out for, especially in the absence of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat
Kohli, who announced their retirement last month. The side have also not won a Test series in England since 2007.
However, Shastri believes the tour could prove to be a significant developmental phase in the youngster's career.
'It's never easy, but I think he will learn from this exposure," he said.
'What I saw of him in the IPL with the Gujarat Titans, he seemed very composed and calm. He's got a good temperament,' Shastri said.
Gill's rise through the ranks has been marked by elegant batting and a level-headed approach on and off the field, proven by his exploits in the white-ball format as well for India.
Shastri was impressed with what he saw of Shubman Gill as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2025, saying he displayed maturity and tactical awareness, traits that impressed till his side's eventual exit in the Eliminators.
'He's matured as an individual, he's got some young players around with him, and I think it's a learning curve as far as Shubman Gill goes,' Shastri said.
India take on England in the first of the five contests at Headingley, from June 20. The Test will also mark the two teams first series of the next ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
UNI BM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
'Felt strange': Kapil Dev on Pataudi Trophy being renamed Anderson-Tendulkar
New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) Legendary India all rounder Kapil Dev has expressed surprise at the Pataudi Trophy for India-England Test matches being renamed as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, describing the development as "strange." The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to rename the Test series hosted by England against India to honour Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar and legendry English fast bowler James Anderson. "It feels a little strange… like, does this also happen? But that's okay, everything works in cricket. At the end of the day, there is no difference. Cricket is cricket. The cricket on the field should be the same," said Dev on Wednesday. He was speaking at an event organised by Three Sixty to commemorate his iconic 175 not out against Zimbabwe during a 1983 World Cup match at Tunbridge Wells. The earlier name, the Pataudi Trophy, was instituted in 2007 in honour of the legendary Indian batsman and captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. The decision was questioned by many as the illustrious Pataudi family has deep ties to both Indian and English cricket. While Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi is the only Test cricketer to have played for both England and India, his son Mansur captained India and played county cricket in England. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi is rated as one of the best Indian captain of all time, and it was under his stewartship that India achieved their first overseas Test victory against New Zealand in 1967. As per reports, even Sachin Tendulkar and ICC chairman Jay Shah are attempting to convince the ECB to reverse their decision to rename the Trophy. The ECB has, however, retained the Pataudi Medal for Excellence, which will be awarded to the winning captain of the series. The five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test series will commence on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. UNI RKM SSP
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Shubman is going to be a great leader": Gary Kirsten ahead of India's Test series against England
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 20 (ANI): Ahead of the first Test of India's tour of England, former India coach Gary Kirsten spoke about newly appointed Test skipper Shubman Gill and his role as captain for the England tour. After batting wizards Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bid adieu to Test cricket last month, India was left short on experience. With India bereft of its torchbearers, the management turned to youngsters to mark the beginning of a new era. After their decision, the captaincy baton was passed from Rohit to Gill. Speaking on Shubman Gill's Test captaincy, Gary Kirsten told JioHotstar, 'I think Shubman is going to be a great leader. He's a smart cricketer--he's got a good brain for the game and understands his game. He's very talented and a nice human being, which I think is really important. When you come into these leadership positions, you're going to be put under pressure, and your leadership will be tested. For any young leader.' At 25, Gill has become one of the youngest players to hold the position in recent years. Though he lacks captaincy experience in the red-ball format, he has led India in a five-match T20I assignment in Zimbabwe in 2024. Gill has also been captaining the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gill has also served as vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is. He was Rohit Sharma's deputy in India's victorious Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE in February 2025. In Test cricket, Gill has played 32 matches and scored 1,893 runs, including five centuries. India tour of England will take place from June to August 2025, with matches to be played at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London). A new era beckons for India in the Test format as the modern-day giants gear up for their first assignment without the prized batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill, India's youngest Test captain, has taken the baton from Rohit to guide the nation to success and challenge for the World Test Championship mace. India squad for England Test series: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. England on Wednesday announced its playing XI for the opening Test of the five-match series against India, which will kick off on June 20 at Headingley. For the opening Test, England has retained the majority of the XI they fielded against Zimbabwe during the one-off Test last month. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open for England, followed by Ollie Pope at number three. England Playing XI for the 1st Test against India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Bumrah is going to be a threat...": England skipper Ben Stokes ahead of Leeds Test against India
Leeds [UK], June 19 (ANI): England Test skipper Ben Stokes believed that India's right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah is going to be a 'threat' for the Three Lions in the upcoming five-match Test series at home. A new era beckons for India in the Test format as the modern-day giants gear up for their first assignment without the prized batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill, India's youngest Test captain, has taken the baton from Rohit to guide the nation to success and challenge for the World Test Championship mace. During India's training session in Beckenham, Kent's second home venue, Bumrah displayed his unparalleled mastery in the art of pace bowling. With the ball in his hand, Bumrah showed signs of breaking the notion of requiring assistance from the surface to wreak havoc. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ben Stokes told the media, 'Bumrah leading their attack is a fantastic bowler, but there are 11 players on the team, and it takes a team to win a game of cricket. But we know Bumrah is an amazing bowler all around the world. His record shows that wherever he goes, he does well. So we know Bumrah is going to be a threat, but we know that every other bowler that India have is also going to be a threat. So, focusing on one individual over another isn't what we will be doing. But you respect your opposition, and he is certainly a fantastic bowler.' Bumrah's utilisation will remain limited throughout the five Tests in England. During the announcement of India's squad for the upcoming Test tour of England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed Bumrah was advised not to contest in consecutive Tests as part of his workload management. The precaution around Bumrah's usage stems from a stress reaction in the back during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney in January. He missed India's victory campaign in the Champions Trophy and returned to action for the Mumbai Indians in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). Before leaving for England, head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed that they have yet to take a call on which Tests India will field Bumrah in the playing XI. India tour of England will take place from June to August 2025, with matches to be played at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London). A new era beckons for India in the Test format as the modern-day giants gear up for their first assignment without the prized batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Shubman Gill, India's youngest Test captain, has taken the baton from Rohit to guide the nation to success and challenge for the World Test Championship mace. India squad for England Test series: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. England on Wednesday announced its playing XI for the opening Test of the five-match series against India, which will kick off on June 20 at Headingley. For the opening Test, England has retained the majority of the XI they fielded against Zimbabwe during the one-off Test last month. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open for England, followed by Ollie Pope at number three. England Playing XI for the 1st Test against India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir. (ANI)
