Shubman Gill is already captained India in T20Is.
The Indian squad for the upcoming five-Test series against England in the UK will likely be picked by the Ajit Agarkar-led India men's senior selection committee in the second week of May.
There have been hushed noises and debates about who will captain the Indian team on this important tour, which will also kickstart India’s 2027 World Test Championship cycle.
During the December-January tour of Australia, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah served as captain and vice-captain, respectively, but the combination seems unlikely to continue in England.
Rohit's performance in Australia was disappointing, with 31 runs in three Tests, and he did not play in the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Bumrah led in his absence, but then missed a lot of play due to a back injury.
And now, as per a Times of India report, BCCI is keen on developing the leadership skills of young Shubman Gill and wants him to be part of the leadership group for the away series starting on June 20. The classy right-hander is already the vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, and could find himself in a similar role in the longest format.
There is a lot of talk about Rohit's Test captaincy, and while he has expressed a desire to lead in England, there are no promises yet.
Another veteran player, sensing a leadership vacuum, indicated a wish to reclaim the captaincy armband. The Indian cricket board, on the other hand, was unconcerned because they are firm in its commitment to developing young players.
"A new WTC cycle is starting. Future and continuity have to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can't be any stop-gap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven't been ideal for the team, and the England series is very crucial," TOI quoted a source tracking development.
Gill, 25, is still developing as a Test cricket player despite having a lot of success in ODIs. He requested a No. 3 spot, but the results fall well short of his exacting expectations.
For Gill, who hasn't had much success away from home in his 32-Test career, the England tour might be the ultimate test. Only 649 of Gill's 1893 Test runs have taken place abroad, compared to 1177 at home.
Gill, 25, is still developing as a Test cricket player despite having a lot of success in ODIs. He requested a No. 3 spot, but the results fall well short of his exacting expectations.
For Gill, who hasn't had much success away from home in his 32-Test career, the England tour might be the ultimate test. Only 649 of Gill's 1893 Test runs have come abroad, compared to 1177 at home.
However, the BCCI is considering him as a player who has the ability to represent Indian cricket as well as a player with leadership and cricketing skills.
His captaincy for the Gujarat Titans in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has impressed the men who matter, and what has stood out is how it hasn't affected his batting at all. It is only a matter of time before Gill is elevated to the leadership role even in Tests.
(Times of India report)