As Test veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin retire, Indian cricket has turned a page. Shubman Gill has been tasked with captaining the team in the longest format, setting the tone for a new chapter.
The phase now is similar to an earlier transition period following the retirements of greats like Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly. MS Dhoni at the time led India to incredible Test triumphs. Gill now stands before him with a similar task and challenge as India readies themselves for their next series against England.
Below are four ways through which Shubman Gill can lead India’s revival in the Tests, similar to how Dhoni previously did:
Identify and Back New Talent
When India’s golden generation took a step aside, Dhoni brought in future greats such as Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, players who became the backbone of the side for more than a decade. Gill now has to do that as well.
KL Rahul can still open the innings in the short term, but long-term candidates such as Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran should be groomed. Gill himself is most likely to replace Kohli at No. 4, but the likes of Karun Nair could also be reasonable candidates.
With Ashwin retiring and Jadeja at the fag end of his Test career, attention needs to be given to spinners such as Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Tanush Kotian, who performed during India A’s tour of England Lions as long-term spin options.
Enhance India’s Home Supremacy
India’s fortress-like record at home took a significant blow in 2024 with a shock 0–3 Test series defeat to New Zealand, India’s first home whitewash in decades. Even during Dhoni’s reign, India endured a rare home loss to England in 2012-13, only to bounce back by thrashing Australia in a 4–0 whitewash in the subsequent Border-Gavaskar series.
Gill’s role will be to make India invincible on domestic soil. To achieve this, the squad needs to work towards picking up batters who can deal with quality spin and play under pressure. With Ashwin no more and Jadeja getting old, the spin prowess of the team needs to be redefined based on new names like Kotian and Kuldeep supplemented with all-rounders like Axar and Washington.
Start Winning Overseas Again
One of Dhoni’s early achievements as captain was leading India to their first Test series win in New Zealand since 1967, followed by a commendable drawn series in South Africa in 2010. Victories against the West Indies and competitive performances abroad highlighted India’s rise under his leadership.
Gill will now need to script such success stories abroad. With Jasprit Bumrah spearheading the pace attack, there is a need to create a robust pace battery by nurturing upcoming bowlers such as Prasidh Krishna and others with promise. A balanced, reliable bowling attack will be important to match—let alone win against foreign opposition. Providing support to promising batsmen to settle into away conditions will also be essential.
Win the No. 1 Ranking and the Test Mace
Dhoni inherited the Test team as the runners-up when he became the Test captain. In the course of one year, he placed them at the top of the ICC Test rankings, and they remained No. 1 from 2009 to 2011. For the first time in history, India won the Test mace during this time.
Now, India stands fourth in Test rankings under Gill’s initial leadership. Although a rapid ascent to second position is not impossible, surpassing Australia, who are comfortably placed at the pinnacle will be a tall order. Regaining India’s No. 1 status needs to be a long-term objective of Gill’s command.
Win the World Test Championship
The format for Test supremacy has changed since Dhoni’s time. Today, the World Test Championship (WTC) determines the top team, with the final played every two years. India reached the final in both the 2019–21 and 2021–23 cycles, only to fall short against New Zealand and Australia, respectively.
Gill now has the responsibility of leading India to WTC success something that has thus far evaded them. The next WTC final will be hosted by India, and it presents a golden opportunity for the hosts. Bringing home the WTC title would not just return the prized Test mace but cement Gill’s legacy as the captain who took India through a successful transition in red-ball cricket.
