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When Former India Coach Predicted Rising Star Shubman Gill As Future Captain

Soumyajit Dutta

Shubman Gill [Source: @ispyswets/X]Shubman Gill [Source: @ispyswets/X]

On Saturday, May 24, Shubman Gill was officially appointed as the Test captain for India. As the prodigy prepares to lead India in the historic Test series against England, the cricketing world reflects on a prophecy uttered less than a year ago. 

In July 2024, outgoing batting coach Vikram Rathour had already anointed Gill as India’s future captain across formats, calling him a "special talent" destined for leadership. Today, that vision materialises.

Rathour's Bold Prediction For Shubman Gill

Rathour, in his final days as India’s batting coach, had pinpointed Shubman Gill’s rare blend of tactical acumen and flair. 

“When I first saw him in the nets, my reaction was, ‘Whoa, this kid is extremely talented. He understood his game, adapted to situations, and embraced challenges fearlessly. His temperament screamed leadership.”

At that time, Gill was just been named vice-captain for the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, but Rathour saw bigger horizons. “Captaincy could unlock his full potential, just like it did for Rohit and Virat. Being in the leadership group will push him to new heights,” he asserted.

Gill’s Leadership Tested By Fire

A month later, Gill’s maiden captaincy stint during India’s T20I tour of Zimbabwe offered a glimpse of his leadership DNA. Leading a young squad, he guided India to a 4-1 series win while topping the runs chart.

Fast-forward to today, Gill’s elevation as Test captain, leapfrogging senior contenders like KL Rahul feels almost inevitable. His trajectory mirrors Rathour’s prophecy, a player whose batting thrives under responsibility. 

Gill's Captaincy To Unlock His Greatness?

History offers hope. Like Kohli, whose batting soared with captaincy, and Rohit, whose tactical brilliance reshaped India’s white-ball dominance, Gill now stands at a similar crossroads. 

As Gill gears up for his biggest challenge yet, conquering England in their backyard, Rathour’s words echo, “One day, he might lead India in all three formats.” For now, the Test captaincy is not just a milestone but a catalyst. The boy wonder has grown into the role and Indian Test cricket’s new era begins under his watch.