As India gears up for a high-stakes five-match Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has thrown his weight behind newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill, expressing full confidence in the young leader’s ability to bring home the trophy.
🏏 A New Era Begins for Indian Test Cricket
With stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin having recently retired from red-ball cricket, the Indian team enters a transitional phase. 25-year-old Gill, with 32 Tests under his belt, now leads a squad blending youth and experience.
“Achha aur talented baccha hai [He’s a good and talented boy]—and now, the captain of the Indian team,” Kapil Dev said at an event commemorating his iconic 175* in the 1983 World Cup.
“I’m sure he will return with the trophy in hand. We feel very proud and wish them all the luck.”
💬 “No Expectations—Just Go and Play”
Kapil urged Gill to play with freedom and not be burdened by pressure.
“There are no expectations. Just go, play, express yourself. That’s more important,” he said, adding that today’s so-called inexperienced players will be tomorrow’s veterans.
🇮🇳 India’s Revamped Test Squad
The squad features fresh faces like Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, and Nitish Reddy, alongside seasoned campaigners Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (vice-captain).
🏆 Historical Context
India last won a Test series in England in 2007 under Rahul Dravid. Prior to that, victories came in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and 1986 under Kapil Dev himself.
As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy replaces the Pataudi Trophy, all eyes are on Gill’s leadership and whether he can script a new chapter in India’s overseas Test legacy.
Stay tuned for match updates and expert analysis.
