Shastri Backs Gill as India Test Captain for the Long Haul, Urges Patience Despite England Loss

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the team management to retain Shubman Gill as captain, even if India lose the ongoing series against England. Gill has been appointed as India’s new skipper following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the longest format of the game.

The 25-year-old began his tenure in style as he became the fifth India captain to score a century on captaincy debut. However, his innings ended in vain as England beat India by five wickets as they chased down the target of 371 in the fourth innings.

Despite India’s loss, Gill earned praise from Ravi Shastri, who extolled him for his maturity and urged the team management to let him continue as captain for three years.

“He’s matured a lot. The way he handles the media, the way he talks at press conferences, at tosses—he’s matured a lot. Let him be there for three years. Don’t chop and change irrespective of what happens in the series. Stick with him for three years, and I think he will deliver for you,” Shastri told Wisden.

Furthermore, he also mentioned that the youngster has all the ingredients to be one of the greats of the game and needs to adapt to the conditions with time.

“I’ll be disappointed if Gill doesn’t go places. Languid, lazy elegance, and he’s got a regal element of being regal out there when he’s batting. If he can learn with exposure and adapt to conditions, I think that’s the one name I can see,” he added.

Meanwhile, following India’s loss, several experts have been after Gill for his on-field tactics during the match. Hence, he has a major task at hand to regroup his men and prepare them for the second Test, set to begin from July 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

India have never won a Test match at the venue, having lost seven out of eight matches played. The Shubman Gill-led side will be up against history as they aim to level the series in the upcoming encounter.