Shubman Gill was chosen new India Test captain and Rishabh Pant was appointed new vice-captain.
When he captains an Indian Test team without the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the England tour that begins on June 20, Shubman Gill will have his work cut out for him. After Rohit announced his retirement earlier this month, Gill was named captain, becoming the fifth youngest Indian to lead a Test team.
Gill was chosen above candidates like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. Given that the young batter hasn't yet proven himself to be a top-tier Test batter, few have also questioned the choice to give him the reins.
His mediocre average of 35.05 in 32 Tests has been pointed up by critics. He has already played three Test matches in England and scored 88 runs at 14.66 in six innings.
World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev acknowledges that Gill has a difficult task ahead of him, but he believes the 25-year-old will succeed in the position and that now is not the time to dwell on the negative.
“This is a new assignment, and I only look at the positive side of it. It does not matter what his average was in the previous tour to England. Let us not talk negatively. He has been picked based on his potential, and I know he would excel.
It won’t be easy. It is never easy in England and Australia, but someone must take responsibility. Gill is the man suited to assume the role of a leader. The selectors have weighed all the strong points and made him the captain with a purpose, a long-term investment. He will need the support of the team and the fans. He is young and will learn to give his best and bring the best out of the boys," Kapil Dev told Sportstar.
The BCCI has chosen a lot of new faces in Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh in the Indian squad. On the other hand, the likes of Shardul Thakur, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Karun Nair have been recalled after impressing in the domestic circuit.
“It is good that the expectations are not high because the team is young. It will help Gill and his team. It is sometimes better to be underdogs. You can perform better. For me, Gill is a player ready to take on the world. With support from (Jasprit) Bumrah, I am sure Gill will emerge as a strong captain,” Kapil added.
Kapil, though, warned that Gill cannot afford to take things lightly in England.
“He (Gill) will learn to shoulder responsibility; a good form with the bat should help him achieve his goal. I am happy for Gill because he looks like a solid batsman. He should remember never to relax when playing in England," he said.
The five-Test India v England series will begin on June 20.