Introduction: In a moment that marks a significant milestone in Indian cricket, Shubman Gill, the dynamic 25-year-old batter, has been named India’s 37th Test captain. As the Punjab-born star gears up to lead the team on the much-anticipated England tour starting June 20, 2025, in Leeds, Gill opened up about the unexpected honor, his family’s reaction, and the road ahead in a heartfelt interview with Dinesh Karthik on Sky Sports.
The Dream He Never Dreamt: Gill’s ascent to captaincy is nothing short of a fairy tale. “Honestly, I don’t think even my father dreamt of me becoming India’s Test captain. And I definitely didn’t,” he admitted with a smile. “It wasn’t even in my dreams to be the captain.” The young batter, who burst onto the international scene with a gritty debut during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne, revealed how he kept the news under wraps until it was official. “I knew a bit earlier but waited till it was confirmed. When the news broke, my father called, and we had a very heartfelt conversation,” he shared, highlighting the emotional weight of the moment.
A Proven Talent: With 1,893 runs in 32 Test matches at an average of 35.71, including five centuries and a highest score of 161, Gill has already established himself as a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup. His memorable 91 at the Gabba in 2021 was instrumental in India’s historic series win against Australia. Now, stepping into the shoes of Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format in May 2025, Gill faces the daunting task of leading a talented but often unpredictable Indian side on English soil—a venue where India has historically struggled but triumphed memorably in 2021.
Guidance from the Top: Discussing his interactions with the selectors, including chairman Ajit Agarkar and new head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gill emphasized the freedom he’s been given to carve his own path as a leader. “They just want me to express myself as a captain. There are no specific expectations or pressure; they aren’t expecting me to do something I’m not capable of,” he noted. This vote of confidence could be pivotal as Gill navigates the complexities of leading in a high-stakes series against an England side known for their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach under Ben Stokes.
The England Challenge: The upcoming five-Test series in England, starting at Headingley, Leeds, will be Gill’s first major test as captain. Historically, India has found English conditions challenging, with swinging balls and overcast skies often exposing technical frailties. However, under Virat Kohli in 2021, India led 2-1 before the series was halted due to COVID-19 concerns. Can Gill inspire a repeat of that resilience? With a mix of veterans like Virat Kohli (expected to return for the series) and emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s hopes rest on Gill’s ability to unite the squad.
Conclusion: As Shubman Gill embarks on this unforeseen journey from a small-town dreamer to the leader of Indian Test cricket, the cricketing world watches with bated breath. His humility, coupled with a steely determination, could be the recipe for success in England. Will he script a new chapter of glory for India? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Gill’s captaincy debut is a story of unexpected dreams turning into reality, and it’s one worth following every step of the way.