Shubman Gill made his debut as Test captain on the tour of England, where he amassed 754 runs with the help of four centuries in a five-match series, leading India to a 2-2 draw.

With the 2027 World Cup in sight, the BCCI selectors have also handed the ODI captaincy to Gill ahead of the upcoming Australia tour.

Recently, India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up on his equation with Shubman and how he sees his rise as the leader.

Gambhir also addressed the criticism faced by Gill over the last few months, saying that it was unfair on the youngster. When the 26-year-old assumed Test captaincy, there was scepticism from some corners, with critics arguing that Gill hadn't even secured his place in the playing XI.

“The criticism he had to face and the things people said about him. Very unfair things were said about him. Sometimes you pick players on their potential. Aap kya expect karte ho ek 24-25 saal ke bache se? (For you to expect from a 24-25-year-old). That he should have an average of more than 50 and he should have scored runs everywhere, it will happen over a period of time,” Gambhir said in an interview with Star Sports.

“With the talent he has, I was never shocked that he scored 750 runs. I was happy with the way he led the team. There were moments when I was under pressure, the support staff was under pressure, but more than us, he was under pressure on the field. In the entire 25 days on the tour of England, I don't recall any moment where he showed that frustration and pressure on his face. He led with a smile. He deserves every bit of it,” he added.

Gambhir also divulged the conversation he had with Gill when the latter was given the reins of the Test team.

“I remember that entire conversation. Picking a 25-year-old as the captain of the Test side. I told him one thing very clearly, 'We've thrown you into the deep sea. From here, you have two options. Either you will drown or you will become a world-class player.' For me, the 750 runs he scored don't matter. If he hadn't scored these many runs in England, he would have done so in the next tour,” said Gambhir.

“A 25-year-old kid with a young team, the way he handled himself and the way he handled the captaincy. He handled the team and captaincy against a quality England side. I don't think there would be any tougher assignment for him,” he remarked.

The former India opener also explained how the transition was a difficult phase for Gill to manage and how no other captain has faced such a challenge before.

“I don't think this tough assignment has been given to any Indian captain in a span of two months. The intimidating England lineup and the young Indian side, as well as the way he handled the pressure. For me, that was a massive tick. I think he has passed his most difficult task,” Gambhir stated.

“I told him after the Oval Test, 'You have passed your most difficult task and the transition is over. From here on, things will become much easier.' I hope it becomes easier for him because he deserves every bit of it,” he concluded.