In a bold transition for Indian cricket, the upcoming five-Test series against England, set to commence on June 20, marks the dawn of a new era. With stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having bid farewell to the longest format, the spotlight now shines on Shubman Gill, the newly appointed Test captain. Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting, in an exclusive conversation with The ICC Review, has thrown his weight behind Gill, labeling the decision as smart and timely, and offering insights into how the young skipper can steer India through this challenging tour.
Ponting, a former World Cup-winning captain and one of the game’s sharpest minds, lauded Gill’s composure and credentials. At just 25, Gill has already shown maturity beyond his years, both as a batsman and as a leader during his stint with the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024. ‘I think it’s the right move,’ Ponting asserted. ‘There’s been chatter about Jasprit Bumrah or Rishabh Pant taking the role, but Bumrah’s injury history is a concern. You can’t risk your captain missing Tests. Gill is young, consistent, and most importantly, he’s piling up runs.’
Delving into strategy, Ponting suggested a tactical shift in Gill’s batting position to balance his captaincy responsibilities. ‘Opening or batting at No. 3 might be too much pressure right now,’ he explained. ‘I’d have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan as openers, KL Rahul at three, Gill at No. 4, and perhaps Karun Nair at five. This gives Gill some breathing room to focus on leadership while still contributing with the bat.’ This proposed lineup reflects Ponting’s belief in creating a balanced middle order, leveraging Gill’s versatility—he has scored 1,492 Test runs at an average of 35.52, including three centuries, often batting at various positions.
The retirements of Rohit and Kohli, who collectively amassed over 17,000 Test runs for India, have left a gaping void. Yet, Ponting remains optimistic about India’s ability to rebuild. ‘If any team can bounce back swiftly, it’s India,’ he remarked. ‘Their talent pool is unmatched. Youngsters like Jaiswal, who smashed 712 runs in the 2023-24 Test season, and Sudharsan, with his elegant stroke play, are ready to step up.’ Ponting also singled out uncapped left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh as a potential game-changer. ‘I’d play him from the first Test. He’s skillful, has County cricket experience with Kent, and the Dukes ball will suit his left-arm angle. It adds variety to an already potent attack led by Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.’
As India gears up for this marquee series, the squad brims with a mix of youth and experience: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, 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, and Kuldeep Yadav. With England’s formidable home record—winning 11 of their last 15 home Test series—India faces a stern test. Will Gill’s leadership, backed by Ponting’s confidence, herald a successful chapter? Only time will tell, but the stage is set for a riveting contest.