Shastri's Words of Wisdom for New India Skipper Shubman Gill

On June 19, 2025, former India coach Ravi Shastri offered some sage advice to Shubman Gill, who is set to lead the Indian Test team for the first time on their high-profile five-Test tour of England.

Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri emphasized the importance of patience and composure for the young captain, highlighting the challenges of leading the Indian team in England. "Take your time," Shastri advised Gill. "It’s not going to be easy. He's been asked to do a tough job, that is to captain India on a tour of England."

Shastri also revealed his preferred combination for the India side in the first Test at Headingley, as they prepare for what promises to be a tough series against England.

Gill, who made his Test debut in December 2020, has so far scored 1893 runs at an average of 35.05 in 32 matches. Leading the team in English conditions, which are notoriously difficult even for seasoned players, will be a significant test for Gill, especially with the absence of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired last month. India has not won a Test series in England since 2007.

 

 

 

 

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However, Shastri believes this tour could be a crucial developmental phase for Gill. "It's never easy, but I think he will learn from this exposure. What I saw of him in the IPL with the Gujarat Titans, he seemed very composed and calm. He's got a good temperament," Shastri said.

Gill's rise has been marked by his elegant batting and level-headed approach, both on and off the field, as evidenced by his performances in the white-ball format for India. Shastri was particularly impressed with Gill's maturity and tactical awareness as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the 2025 Indian Premier League, noting these traits until his team's exit in the Eliminators.

"He's matured as an individual, and he's got some young players around him. I think it's a learning curve for Shubman Gill," Shastri added.

India will face England in the first of the five-Test series at Headingley, starting on Friday, June 20. This series will also mark the beginning of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams from 2025 to 2027.