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Ravi Shastri has advised Shubman Gill to be patient and composed as he leads India in Tests in England, debuting as skipper during the team’s transition phase.
Shubman Gill is all set to lead India against England (Picture credit: AP)
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that Shubman Gill should take his time and get used to leading a Test side in England, adding that it is not going to be easy since he has been handed a tough job, but his composure that showed while leading the Gujarat Titans should augur well for him.
With India going through a huge transition phase after the retirements of ace batter Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, BCCI has entrusted Gill to lead the Indian Test side.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review, Shastri emphasised patience as key for Gill, stepping into one of the most challenging roles.
“I think, take your time. 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 the initial days in Gill’s Test career, with 1893 runs at an average of 35 in 32 games, since making his debut in December 2020.
With English conditions known for testing even the most seasoned of players, Gill’s captaincy debut will be one to look out for, in the absence of Rohit and Kohli, who announced their retirement in May.
The team haven’t won a Test series in England in the last 18 years. Shastri believes that the tour can prove to be a crucial developmental phase in Gill’s career.
“It’s never easy, but I think he will learn from this exposure. 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 beautiful batting and a level-headed approach on and off the field, proven by his exploits in the white-ball format too for India.
Shastri was impressed with what he saw of Gill as skipper of Gujarat in IPL 2025, saying that the latter showed maturity, a trait that impressed till his team’s eventual exit in the Eliminator.
“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 face England in the first of the five games at Headingley from Friday, June 20.
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