Shubman Gill will have to lead from front on tough England tour: Harbhajan Singh
Former spinner Harbhajan Singh has thrown his support behind newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, while cautioning that the young batter faces a steep challenge on the upcoming tour of England. With senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma unavailable, Harbhajan believes Gill must step up as a leader in what promises to be a testing series.At just 25, Gill was named India's full-time Test captain on Saturday, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. The England tour, starting next month, will mark the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle-a fresh start for a team in transition.advertisementGill now steps into the forefront of leadership at a pivotal moment, as India undergoes a generational transition in both personnel and strategy. The team's failure to qualify for the 2023–2025 World Test Championship final—marked by consecutive series defeats to New Zealand at home and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy—has sparked calls for renewal.
Speaking at the launch of the TV show Who's the Boss on Sunday, Harbhajan welcomed Gill's appointment but emphasised the high expectations and tough conditions that await."Obviously, it is a great move, having a young captain like Shubman Gill who has done well in franchise cricket," Harbhajan told PTI. "But this is going to be a tough tour. England has never been an easy place to play Test cricket. I hope that Shubman and Rishabh Pant-this young team-can step up. There is no Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, and that leaves a big gap that needs to be filled. Shubman will have to lead from the front."advertisementHarbhajan also urged fans and critics not to judge the team too quickly, stressing the importance of giving this young side time to grow."I would also like to ask people not to start judging too early-even if this tour doesn't go their way," he said. "It is okay even if they do not win; they will be learning from the experience. I believe that everyone on this tour will come back stronger."India's squad, entering a new era under Gill's leadership, carries promise but also faces uncertainty. With unfamiliar conditions and high-pressure expectations, the team's performance in England will likely shape perceptions of this next generation of Indian cricketers. And as Harbhajan noted, it's not just about results-but about resilience, learning, and long-term growth.Tune In You May Also Like
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