Bazball

India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill has said he does not intend to follow any particular style of leadership, instead hoping to shape his own identity as he gains experience. Gill, however, stressed his focus on providing teammates with clarity and a secure environment to perform at their best. Gill was addressing the media for the first time since being appointed as India’s Test captain. He and head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters on the eve of the team’s departure to England for a five-match Test series. Named captain last month by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, Gill takes over following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket. He will lead a youthful and relatively inexperienced squad in England, with both Rohit and Virat Kohli stepping away from the longest format in June. “My style of captaincy will be my own; it will develop with experience. I will want to make the players feel safe, comfort them, and build strong bonds. Players need to feel secure… only then can they give 100 percent,” said Gill. At 25, Gill is among the youngest to lead the Indian Test side in recent years. While he lacks leadership experience in red-ball cricket, he captained India during a five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe in 2024 and led Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, embracing the pressure that comes with the role. However, in first-class cricket, Gill has captained Punjab in just five matches, winning only one. Gill admitted he was overwhelmed upon learning of his appointment, having been chosen ahead of experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, both former captains. “When I came to know about the Test captaincy, I was overwhelmed by the honour and the opportunity. It is a big responsibility, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. GILL NOT BOTHERED BY BAZBALL TALKS India’s campaign in England will mark the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The first Test begins on 20 June at Headingley, Leeds. England, under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, have reinvented their Test game with an ultra-aggressive style dubbed ‘Bazball’. While they were outplayed by India in their 2023 away series, they remain formidable at home, having won 15 of their 20 Tests since the duo took charge. Gill, however, remained unfazed by England’s aggressive approach. “They play a certain way. I think we saw that when they came to India as well,” he said. “It’s very exciting for us. It gives us an opportunity, a great challenge. If we are very proactive with our execution and with our plans, I think it would put them under immense pressure.” Published By: Akshay Ramesh Published On: Jun 5, 2025 Tune In