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India has appointed top-order batsman Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, the cricket board announced on Saturday.
The 25-year-old replaces Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from Test cricket along with Virat Kohli. Gill will lead the team in a five-match Test series against England starting June 20.
This marks a transitional phase for Team India following the departure of Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 36, from the five-day format earlier this month. “Shubman Gill-led #TeamIndia are READY for an action-packed Test series,” the BCCI said in a statement.
Read more: Indian captain Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain. However, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has been left out of the 18-member squad due to fitness concerns, chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed. Jasprit Bumrah is included but will be rotated across the series to manage his workload.
Gill, known for his elegant stroke play, currently captains the Gujarat Titans in the IPL and led them into the playoffs this season. Since making his Test debut in 2020 at Melbourne, he has played 32 Tests, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, including five centuries.
A key figure in both Test and ODI formats, Gill also played a vital role in India’s 50-over Champions Trophy win in Dubai earlier this year.
Rohit, Kohli retirement ‘personal decisions’
Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar described the recent Test retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as personal decisions that have now opened up new opportunities in Indian cricket.
“When players of that calibre retire, there will always be big shoes to fill,” Agarkar said. “Those three are stalwarts of Indian cricket. It’s never easy. But the way to look at it is as an opportunity for others. They’ve left behind a remarkable legacy.”
Agarkar revealed that Kohli had reached out in early April to inform the board of his decision. “We’ve seen him give 200 percent to every ball he plays,” Agarkar said. “If he feels he can’t maintain the high standards he’s set for himself, perhaps it was the right time.”
Read more: Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
Kohli, like Rohit, announced his retirement via Instagram. Media speculation followed, with some reports suggesting the decision may have been influenced by the Indian team management. However, Agarkar dismissed such rumors.
“Kohli is one of the best batters of his generation, a hero to millions, and a global sporting icon,” he said. The former captain scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85.
“That’s why I believe we must respect the decisions of players like him,” Agarkar added. “Speculating too much isn’t helpful. Even when you’re selecting or dropping someone, you don’t ask them to retire.”
