​Testing times: on India’s new Test Captain

In the cyclical nature of cricket, India is stepping into a new era in Tests. The appointment of Shubman Gill as captain in the game’s longest format hints at a break from the past and new beginnings. At 25, Gill is part of the young turks within the squad, while K.L. Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah, at ages 33 and 31 respectively, remain the senior duo with previous captaincy stints. But in picking Gill as the leader, the selectors, especially chairman Ajit Agarkar, have loudly proclaimed that they are looking at the long road into the future, and not a short-term replacement. The retirements of regular skipper Rohit Sharma and talisman Virat Kohli in quick succession meant that big gaps had to be filled both in terms of leadership chutzpah and batting acumen. Gill, with all the high potential through which he stepped into the game at all levels, be it under-19, Punjab and later the national unit, seems a good fit. He is also leading Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League and is clued into the art of captaincy. Men younger than him have led India in the past, notably Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, and Gill, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy, will learn more on the job starting with the five Tests commencing in England in June. He will have the freedom and responsibility to shape the team he leads.

Besides Rahul and Bumrah, Gill has to contend with other seniors, including Ravindra Jadeja, who, at 36, is closer to the finish line. It is what Mohammad Azharuddin dealt with while having Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, K. Srikkanth and Ravi Shastri in the ranks. M.S. Dhoni too had a similar task as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman and Virender Sehwag reported to him. Gill has the respect of the dressing room, being marked for greatness as he climbed the rungs. With 1893 Test runs averaging 35.05, his numbers seem underwhelming but there is no mistaking his talent, and captaincy may well goad him to temper his glorious stroke play with some caution. Leadership caused a surge in Kohli’s run-making ability, and the expectation is that Gill too may reap some benefits. India will also miss R. Ashwin when it embarks on the tour of the Old Blighty, and Gill has to helm this transition well. That hope is intrinsic to this unit is evident as Karun Nair makes a comeback after last turning up for India in 2017. He has been prolific in the domestic circuit besides doing well in county cricket over the previous few seasons, and the last bit should help him acclimatise to English conditions, faster.