Shubman Gill to captain new-look India on cricket tour of England
No Virat Kohli. No Rohit Sharma. No Ravichandran Ashwin.
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These three names featured prominently on India's starting Test lineup in recent years and often sent shivers down the opposition.
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But the long arm of Father Time tapped them on the shoulder gently and reminded three of the country's greatest players that it's time to call it a day. England must be breathing a sigh of relief as this fearsome threesome will not grace the hallowed England grounds during India's demanding five-Test tour that starts in mid-June.
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All eyes now turn to the new-look India squad led by 25-year-old Shubman Gill, who was given the nod ahead of fast-bowler extraordinaire Jasprit Bumrah.
In fact, the majority of fans around the world and pundits were certain Bumrah would succeed Sharma as captain, but the selectors rightly decided the pace man's fitness issues were a concern.
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'We would rather have him as a bowler and hope he has a big series,' chief selector Ajit Agarkar said. 'He is an important player for us, so having him fit as a bowler is more important.'
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Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Ashwin retired from the five-day version of the game a few months back having taken 537 Test wickets and turned his attention to club cricket. Sharma, of course, will be missed at the top of the order as he accumulated 4,301 runs with 12 centuries and 18 half centuries after making his Test debut in 2013.
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The 36-year-old Kohli was urged by the hierarchy to hang on until after the England tour to give Gill all the assistance he would need as he embarks as a new skipper. Kohli was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished batsmen of his generation and a hero to millions of Indian fans. He played 123 Test matches since his debut in 2011, amassing 9,230 runs with an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
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Although Gill lacks captaincy experience in Test cricket, he has led his country in a T20 game in Zimbabwe and captains Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. Gill has appeared in 32 Tests and scored 1,893 runs and that includes five centuries. Gill described his appointment as Test captain as a 'great honour' and 'big responsibility.'
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Another superstar Gill will be without on the tour will be opening bowler Mohammad Shami, who played a pivotal role for India in recent years, but a spate of injuries has ruled him out again.
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