Shubman Gill’s Test Captaincy Sparks Debate Amid Concerns Over Overseas Performance
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the new Test captain for the upcoming five-match series against England, starting June 20, 2025, as part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. The announcement, made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar on May 24, 2025, follows the retirement of Test stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, marking a significant transition for Indian cricket. However, Gill’s appointment has drawn mixed reactions, with former India opener Aakash Chopra expressing doubts about his readiness for the role, particularly citing his underwhelming overseas Test record.
Gill, who debuted in Test cricket against Australia in December 2020, has played 32 matches, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05. While his overall numbers are respectable, his performance abroad is a concern, with an average dipping below 30 in 15 away games, among the lowest for Test captains who are specialist batters. Chopra highlighted the challenges Gill faces in the red-ball format, noting that his overseas struggles make his captaincy appointment a bold move. “His average is 35, but overseas, it’s around 25, which isn’t strong for a batter, let alone a captain,” Chopra said, as reported by Hindustan Times. He contrasted this with Gill’s stronger ODI credentials, where he is the top-ranked batter in ICC rankings and has been vice-captain for India’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign.
Despite these concerns, Agarkar defended the decision, emphasizing Gill’s potential and leadership qualities. “We’ve observed Shubman closely over the past year and taken feedback from the dressing room. He’s a terrific player, and we’re hopeful he’s the one to lead us forward,” Agarkar said. Gill’s prior leadership experience is limited to captaining India in a T20I series in Zimbabwe in 2024 and leading Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL 2025 points table. Agarkar stressed that the selection committee views Gill as a long-term investment, not a short-term fix, stating, “You don’t pick captains for one or two tours. We’ve seen progress with him, and we wish him the best.”
The new-look Indian squad for the England tour includes Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, alongside players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and newcomers Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Notable omissions include Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami, with Jasprit Bumrah’s participation limited due to fitness concerns. The series, to be played at venues like Headingley, Lord’s, and The Oval, poses a formidable challenge for Gill as he steps into the captaincy role under intense scrutiny.