“Your time begins now…”: Greg Chappell On Shubman Gill’s Real Test As India’s New Test Captain
Manchester: Shubman Gill, captaining the Indian Test team for the first time, has already lit up the series against England with one double century and two centuries, scoring a massive 607 runs so far. But despite his batting brilliance and one win under his leadership, India currently trails the five-match series 1-2. With only two Tests remaining, former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes “the real test for Shubman Gill starts now.
The crucial fourth Test of the England-India series — part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy — begins on Wednesday, July 23 at 3:30 PM IST in Manchester. India narrowly lost the third Test by 22 runs, raising the stakes significantly.
Greg Chappell: “Now Gill must define the kind of team he wants to lead”
Writing in a prominent cricket website, Chappell praised 25-year-old Gill’s talent and leadership potential but emphasized that defining his vision as a captain will be the key.
“Shubman Gill is a talented young player who has shown excellent temperament and leadership traits. But these coming moments will shape his journey as a Test captain,” wrote Chappell.
He added that captains are not just judged by their batting or verbal communication, but by their clarity of vision, strategic decisions, and the ability to set standards for the team. Good fielding, he said, is non-negotiable.
“Fielding standards reflect a team’s commitment. Poor fielding can cost games. The best teams don’t let batters settle and don’t drop catches.”
“To be a great captain, Gill must communicate and trust”
Chappell offered Gill a critical advice:
Back the right players you trust the most.
Define a clear game plan.
Assign roles clearly to every player so they know what’s expected.
Avoid uncertainty- Players should not be left to guess their role during a tough series.
He stressed that a captain must not rely solely on personal performance:
“You don’t solve problems just with your own bat. A captain must inspire confidence in others, communicate with clarity — in the dressing room and on the field — and support his team. Only then can he become a great leader.”
Chappell concluded by saying that Gill’s leadership choices now could shape the future of Indian cricket, beyond just this series.
Greg Chappell: “It’s not magic – it’s method”
In conversation with the same publication, Greg Chappell focused on the captain’s dual responsibility towards both batters and bowlers.
To batters: Encourage a positive mindset and focus on building big partnerships.
To bowlers: Emphasize that wickets aren’t everything — sustained pressure through good overs and spells often leads to breakthroughs.
“This isn’t magic, it’s method,” Ian said, adding that mental pressure is a key tactical tool in modern cricket.
As India prepares for the crucial fourth Test, the spotlight is firmly on Shubman Gill — not just as a prolific batter, but now as a captain tasked with leading, inspiring, and building the future of Team India.