Gill named India's new Test captain for England tour

Shubman Gill was named as India’s new Test skipper on Saturday to lead the team on their five-Test tour of England starting June 20.

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The 25-year-old batter takes over from Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from Test cricket this month followed by batting great Virat Kohli doing the same. Sharma last led India against Australia during the Boxing Day test.

"We discussed every option that’s there, over the last year or so, and we have looked at Shubman various times," selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar said. "We have taken a lot of feedback from the dressing room. We are hopeful he is the guy - he is a terrific player and our best wishes to him."

Gill will lead India for the first time in Tests, having had only T20 captaincy experience prior. He had led India in Zimbabwe in 2024 when other senior players were rested. He currently leads Gujarat Titans atop the Indian Premier League.

His ascension to Indian cricket’s top job comes ahead of the 2025-27 world test championship cycle-India begins its campaign against England.

"You don't pick captains for one tour or two tours," Agarkar said. "We have seen some progress over the last year or two with him. No doubt, it is going to be tough as it gets.”

Headingley in Leeds is the setting for the first test.

Gill made his test debut against Australia in December 2020 and has featured in 32 matches since, scoring 1,893 runs at average 35.05.