Gill to lead India's NextGen in Test

Mumbai, May 24: Batting star Shubman Gill was Saturday handed India's Test leadership to steer through a "massive transition" phase starting with next month's tour of England that will be nothing short of a trial by fire for the relatively in-experienced 18-member squad announced here.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

He will have the swashbuckling but erratic Rishabh Pant as his deputy for the five-match series that will begin June 20 in Leeds.

"Last year or so we have looked at Shubman (for leadership). We are hopeful he is the guy who is going (to take the team forward). It is a high pressure job but he is a terrific player," said chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar after announcing the squad, which offered no major surprises.

Gill has appeared in 32 Tests so far and averages a rather modest 35 for his 1893 runs with five hundreds and seven fifties at the top of the order since making his debut in 2020.

The 27-year-old Pant, on the other hand, is a bit more experienced with 43 Tests under his belt and a better average of 42.11 for his 2948 runs lower down the line-up. He has smashed six hundreds and 15 half centuries since coming into the side in 2018.

"Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can see the game well and that's why he is Shubman's deputy," Agarkar added while explaining the big-hitter's role.