Shubman Gill likely to succeed Rohit Sharma

MUMBAI: Shubman Gill’s coronation as India’s new Test captain appears imminent. TOI has learnt that the 25-year-old Punjab batsman, currently leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, will most likely be named skipper when the national selectors announce the squad for the upcoming tour of England, which includes a gruelling five-Test series. Ever since Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, Gill, who served as Rohit’s deputy during India’s victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, has been the frontrunner to take over the reins. A couple of recent developments strongly indicate that the ‘Gill captaincy era’ is about to begin in Indian cricket. During the IPL 2025 season (before it was paused), when the Gujarat Titans were in Delhi to play the Delhi Capitals, Gill visited India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s residence for lunch. The two reportedly spoke for four to five hours. Later, after GT’s match against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on May 6, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar also had a discussion with Gill. According to a BCCI source, the selection committee is planning a long-term captaincy transition, and Gill is seen as the ideal candidate. “He has shown impressive leadership qualities in the way he has led GT, who are currently topping the table this season,” the source said. With a new World Test Championship cycle (2025–27) on the horizon, the selectors are keen to give Gill an extended run as captain, intending to build a young team around him. This is also why he was appointed vice-captain for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Gill has featured both as an opener and at No. 3 in Test cricket. In 32 matches, he has scored 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, including five centuries and seven fifties. As for Jasprit Bumrah, who has previously captained India in Tests, notably during the win at Perth, he is unlikely to be considered for the role due to workload concerns. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that Gambhir will depart for England on June 6, ahead of the rest of the squad. “He wants to observe a few India A players who will be in action against the England Lions,” said a BCCI official.