Shubman Gill, India’s newly appointed Test captain, is facing scrutiny as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selects what some analysts are calling India’s “weakest” squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
Azharuddin’s Famous Question Resurfaces
Gill’s appointment as India’s 37th Test captain has drawn comparisons to Mohammad Azharuddin’s unexpected leadership call-up in 1990, when BCCI selector Raj Singh Dungarpur famously asked, “Miyaan, kaptaan banoge?”. The phrase, which became iconic in Indian cricket history, is now being echoed as Gill steps into a challenging leadership role.
India’s Squad Faces Experience Concerns
With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from Test cricket, India’s squad for the England tour lacks seasoned batting experience. The team includes several new faces, such as:
- Sai Sudharsan (Top-order batter)
- Abhimanyu Easwaran (Long-time India ‘A’ captain)
- Karun Nair (Returning after eight years)
While KL Rahul (58 Tests), Rishabh Pant (43 Tests), and Ravindra Jadeja (80 Tests) bring some experience, Gill himself has played only 32 Tests, making this a high-pressure leadership challenge.
Bowling Strength and Gill’s Leadership Test
India’s bowling attack remains formidable, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh leading the pace department. However, Gill will need to rally his team and navigate England’s challenging conditions to prove his leadership credentials.
India’s England Tour Schedule
India’s five-match Test series against England begins on June 20, 2025, at Headingley, Leeds, marking the start of a new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
