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Shubman Gill has scripted history by becoming the 37th captain of India’s Test side. He will be expected to lead the side confidently as his biggest challenge is waiting in England, where India is looking to win their first Test series after 18 years. Back in 2007, it was under Rahul Dravid’s leadership, India won their last series on English soil. Shubman, who has evolved as a player under Dravid’s supervision in junior and senior levels, will look to do what his former India coach did. The England series will kick off on June 20 at Headingley.
The day after Gill’s appointment, reports have come up that BCCI selectors took Dravid’s views before handing the mantle to the youngster. Under Dravid’s coaching, India pulled off the U-19 title in 2018 and Gill was a part of that side. Noting the ex-India captain’s experience with the Punjab-based cricketer, the board asked for the 52-year-old’s opinion. "The selectors spoke to Dravid as he had seen Gill when he was a teenager and had also coached him at the U19 and the senior team. He had some great things to say about Gill's potential as a leader," revealed a BCCI source, according to Hindustan Times.
Shubman Gill’s Test records in England
Shubman Gill has played three matches in English conditions in his five-year Test career. In six innings, he has scored only 88 runs at a disheartening average of 14.66. This time, he will have to prove himself while stepping into the leadership role. In SENA countries, his performance hasn’t been upto the mark.
Shubman, who has been batting at number three since the last year’s England Test series at home, might not be seen in the position as India have got renowned quality top-order batters for the upcoming series. As per a Cricbuzz report, the right-handed batter can move to number four, where Virat Kohli batted for 11 years. If he does so, he will have to justify his role.
