
Vaughan Says Gill As Test Captain Is 'Bold Call' After Rohit, Kohli Retirements
Last Updated:
Michael Vaughan feels Shubman Gill's appointment as India's Test captain is a bold call after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that appointing 25-year-old Shubman Gill as India's Test captain for the upcoming five-Test series against England is a 'bold move" following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the red-ball format.
Gill will lead India in their first assignment of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle in England, starting on 20 June in Leeds. The right-handed opening batter will have wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
With the recent Test retirements of Rohit and Kohli, India's batting line-up will be primarily led by Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Pant.
Vaughan noted that Gill faces a challenge to prove himself on foreign soil but mentioned he possesses the temperament for crucial moments.
'Shubman Gill is officially the new face of Indian Test cricket, stepping up as captain for the England series. It's a bold move, trusting a young leader with a new-look team after the retirements of giants like Rohit and Kohli. Gill has a lot to prove, especially away from home, but he has shown he has the temperament for big moments," said Vaughan, who is part of Sony Sports Network's expert commentary team for the series.
The veteran England batter added that the England tour could mark the beginning of a special era for India's next generation.
'With Rishabh Pant as his deputy and a squad eager to make their mark, this England tour could be the start of something special for India's next generation. Don't be surprised if these youngsters rise to the occasion," Vaughan added.
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar echoed Vaughan's sentiments, saying the world is eager to witness how the young Indian team performs in the series.
'There's always something special about an Indian team touring England, and this time, with a new young captain and terrific young players, the excitement and anticipation among fans are at an all-time high. Everyone is eager to see how these young cricketers will rise to the occasion and carve out their legacy," said Gavaskar, who will join Vaughan in the commentary box for the tour.
The upcoming India tour of England marks a significant new chapter for Team India, as a fresh squad prepares to tackle one of cricket's most challenging assignments in English conditions. Historically, India's success in Test series on English soil has been rare, with the team having won a Test series in England only three times in the past 100 years.
These landmark victories came in 1971, 1986, and 2007, each time under the leadership of a new or first-time captain – Ajit Wadekar in 1971, Kapil Dev in 1986, and Rahul Dravid in 2007 – highlighting the pivotal role of new leadership in these historic triumphs.
First Published:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Feeling low in life? Anand Mahindra wants you to look at this poster and scoreboard of French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz for inspiration
French Open 2025 winner Carlos Alcaraz made a epic comeback to win the title. (Photo: Carlos Alcaraz's astonishing comeback victory at the 2025 French Open final wasn't just a celebration of athletic excellence—it became a global metaphor for resilience. Among the millions who were inspired by his unyielding grit, Indian business icon Anand Mahindra was one of the first to express what many felt: this was more than sport. Mahindra, known for using social media to spotlight determination and leadership, hailed a defining moment of perseverance as Alcaraz saved three championship points at 0–40 in the fourth set and went on to win the title. To Mahindra, the image of Alcaraz under pressure wasn't just tennis—it was a visual pep talk for life Anand Mahindra, and many others who witnessed the moment, Alcaraz's fightback had symbolic value. In a world quick to abandon effort at the first sign of failure, his revival at the brink of defeat stood as a loud rebuttal. Mahindra's call to 'make a poster of this picture' was not just a nod to the athlete's triumph—it was an endorsement of the never-give-up spirit that drives not just players, but entrepreneurs, creators, and dreamers worldwide. "It isn't over till it's over. NEVER give up," he emphasized, turning a sporting moment into a universal credo. The epic five-hour, 29-minute match against Jannik Sinner in Paris—now the longest final in Roland Garros history—was an ode to human willpower. Alcaraz's ability to claw his way back from two sets down, under the weight of history, fatigue, and a formidable opponent, resonated well beyond the stadium. It wasn't just the fans or tennis legends who took notice; leaders from other fields like Mahindra saw the deeper message: resilience is not theoretical, it is forged in the heat of adversity. Alcaraz demonstrated that true champions are revealed, not made, by pressure. — anandmahindra (@anandmahindra) The final was a masterclass in stamina, mental grit, and sheer belief. With every rally, the two young titans—Alcaraz, 22, and Sinner, 23—pushed the limits of what was once considered peak performance. The scoreline, 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2), told only part of the story. Carlos Alcaraz's journey to the Roland Garros title this year was also a dramatic passing of the torch. For over two decades, the tennis world had been dominated by the Big Three—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. With Federer and Nadal retired, and Djokovic now 38, the final between Alcaraz and Sinner signaled the start of a new golden age. The intensity, quality, and athleticism displayed by both men didn't just match the past—it arguably surpassed stats themselves were staggering. The players combined for 123 winners. The match ended with Sinner having scored 193 points to Alcaraz's 192, showing just how tightly contested it was. Yet it was Alcaraz who had the composure and mental edge in the final set tiebreaker, dominating 10-2, and sealing his fifth Grand Slam title—maintaining a perfect record in showdown was not just a clash of skill; it was a psychological war. Alcaraz had to wrestle with near defeat, not once but thrice, with three match points against him in the fourth set. Most players at that point would have collapsed under the pressure. Instead, Alcaraz dialed up his level, channelled composure and belief, and defied the moment. It was the kind of performance that legends are built on—not for the titles alone, but for the character social media, netizens echoed Mahindra's awe and admiration. 'The comeback writes a better story than the win itself,' said one user, summing up the emotional narrative that unfolded on the clay courts of Paris. Another chimed in, 'Champions get up even when they can't!'—a tribute to Alcaraz's tenacity in saving three match points. Many found the moment personally inspiring. 'Never giving up isn't just a mindset, it's a lifestyle,' wrote a viewer. 'Thank you for sharing this, Sir. Needed this reminder today.' For others, the display of heart under pressure felt almost cinematic: 'Real life better than fiction. Awesome stuff!' one post read. Another captured the spirit of the night perfectly: 'When your back is against the wall, greatness doesn't just play… it fights.'Even seasoned tennis veterans were in awe. Mats Wilander, former champion and analyst, said he never thought he'd see tennis played at a higher level than during the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era, but the Paris final proved him wrong. The quality, pace, and athleticism on display exceeded all expectations. Andre Agassi, who presented the trophy, said Alcaraz may be even more dangerous on grass courts, praising the young Spaniard for combining the defensive speed of Djokovic, the feel of Federer, and the topspin firepower of Nadal. ( Originally published on Jun 10, 2025 )


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
WTC Final: Pacers Lord over batters
Caught first slip. Caught second slip. Caught keeper. Caught keeper. Caught first slip. Bowled. Bowled. Caught first slip. Bowled. Bowled. Bowled. Caught first slip. Bowled. Bowled. There was a very clear trend behind all 14 wickets to fall on Day One of the final of the World Test Championships between South Africa and Australia. After the former invited the latter to bat in overcast conditions, they either induced the outside edge or found the stumps. When it was time for the holders to bowl in the third session, they returned the favour in kind. It was just that kind of day, and surface, at Lord's. The bowlers knew there was juice to be extracted as it was nibbling both ways. The wobble seam — an increasingly important weapon in a seamer's arsenal when bowling in these parts — again played a big role. The end result? This generation's generational red-ball operators — Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins — all left their footprint in the longest format's showpiece event of the last two years. The awesome foursome scalped nine wickets for just 85 runs across 36 bewitching overs. But South Africa, seeking their first men's ICC title this century, were in the mire when stumps were drawn on Wednesday. The Proteas were 43/4, trailing Australia by 169 runs. The holders may have left a few runs with the bat but their bowlers were on the money right from the off. In England, it's all about making that adjustment to hit that same top of off mark and they made that adjustment that bit sooner. They were also more disciplined in their length as they kept the most common mode of dismissals — nicked behind to the keeper or cordon or bowled or lbw — in play throughout the third session. In the absence of freebies, bowlers were given extended runs to the same batters. Here are a few samples. Wiaan Mulder's three came off 37 deliveries. Temba Bavuma played out five overs before opening his account. The only time Australia erred in line, it came two balls before stumps when a tired Cummins went in search of two magic balls in succession. David Bedingham put both of those balls away. But the Proteas need more of those if they want to realise their dream of global glory. Two hours into Wednesday, though, they would have been excused for doing just that at lunch. There were several strange similarities to the last World Test Championship final after the first 30 overs on Wednesday. South Africa, just like India did at The Oval two Junes ago, opted to bowl first in overcast conditions. Just like India, they had picked up early wickets. Just like India, the Proteas were the happier of the two dressing rooms at lunch. Team winning the toss bowling first under overcast skies. Australia finding it tough before Usman Khawaja leaving without scoring after a torturous existence. Marnus Labuschagne gamely fighting before leaving after a torturous existence. An explosive left-hander nicking one down the leg-side to the keeper. Australia going nowhere at lunch. In 2023, though, Australia kept going from strength to strength as the Indian bowlers were defanged by a combination of Travis Head's bravura batting and Steve Smith's solidity. But the South African bowling unit, taller, a few clicks pacier and also comprising a left-arm seamer, stuck to their guns in a manner the Indian attack didn't. Both units strayed and lacked discipline at times in the two sessions after lunch — Australia scoring a bulk of their runs in boundaries against both attacks was proof of this — but Rabada, Jansen and the others were able to extract more bounce off the surface and married it with optimum seam off the surface in a way the Indian bowlers couldn't. The end result? After being inserted in, Australia stumbled staggered to 210 from a seemingly commanding 142/4 after 41.5 overs. How South Africa bagged all 10 wickets was indicative of the help they had on the surface. However, at the end of an ultimately sun-kissed Day One, Cummins & Co will know they have taken the initiative to retain the mace. Brief scores: Australia 212 in 56.4 ovs (Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5/51, Jansen 3/49) vs South Africa 43/4 in 22 ovs (Rickelton 16; Starc 2/10).


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
MPL 2.0 action begins; Gwalior Cheetas set to take on Chambal Gharials today
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Premier League's second edition begins Thursday at the newly built Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior. The first match sees Gwalior Cheetas taking on Chambal Gharials at 7:30 pm, igniting cricket enthusiasm statewide. WWE star The Great Khali will attend the opening ceremony as the chief guest, one hour before the first match. Tickets are available at Rs 50 through the District app. Star Sports will broadcast the matches, with JioHotstar providing digital streaming services. Mahan Aryaman Scindia, the Governing Council Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket League, congratulated MPCA, GDCA, MPL, and all participating teams. He noted the MPL's growth since its last edition and its aim to become India's leading state league. He invited Gwalior and Madhya Pradesh residents to enjoy the tournament. The MPL has grown considerably since its first season, now including ten teams (with three women's teams) from different state regions. The 15-day tournament offers quality cricket under floodlights at the modern Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Teams combine local talent with established state cricketers, creating a balanced competitive structure. The tournament follows a round-robin format before progressing to knockout stages, ensuring consistent competition. The venue features comprehensive security arrangements, organised parking facilities, and separate entrances for different stands. Medical services and food stalls are available throughout the stadium. Local enterprises have provided significant sponsorship support, ensuring financial viability. The winners' prize money increased notably from the previous edition, indicating the tournament's enhanced status. The broadcast setup includes extensive coverage with multiple camera positions and bilingual commentary in Hindi and English. Matches are scheduled at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm, providing comfortable viewing conditions. The stadium's new drainage system and covers help prevent weather disruptions. Professional medical staff support all teams, whilst adjacent practice facilities enable proper preparation. Talent scouts from professional cricket teams will attend, offering advancement opportunities for local players. The venue implements environmental measures, including waste management and water conservation.