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"It Won't Be Easy" Kapil Dev Warns Captain Shubman Gill Before England Tour

Akshita Patel

Kapil Dev on Shubman Gill's captaincy [Source: @drivexpull, @ColorsTV/X.com]Kapil Dev on Shubman Gill's captaincy [Source: @drivexpull, @ColorsTV/X.com]

Shubman Gill is set to begin a new chapter in his cricket career as he leads the Indian Test team on a tough tour of England. Despite criticism around his selection, legend Kapil Dev has backed the youngster, saying he is ready to don the captaincy hat.

With senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma missing, Gill has been handed over the captaincy as the Indian Test team is undergoing a transition in the new WTC cycle. 

However, since Gill’s average in Test cricket as a batter is unsatisfactory, many fans and pundits have raised doubt about his captaincy potential.

Kapil Dev Weighs In On Shubman Gill’s Debut Tour As Test Captain

Shubman Gill was chosen as the Test captain earlier this month, becoming the fifth youngest Indian to lead in the longest format. He was preferred over experienced names like Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant. 

Though some critics raise questions about the decision, ex-World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev feels Gill can be successful. Talking to Sportstar, he said:

“This is a new assignment, and I only look at the positive side of it. It does not matter what his average was in the previous tour to England. Let us not talk negative. He has been picked based on his potential, and I know he would excel. It won’t be easy. It is never easy in England and Australia, but someone must take responsibility."

Gill has played 32 Tests since his debut in 2020 but has struggled in England, scoring just 88 runs in six innings at an average of 14.66. Despite that, Kapil Dev remains optimistic, saying the young man is ready to take on the world.

"The selectors have weighed all the strong points and made him the captain with a purpose, a long-term investment. He will need the support of the team and the fans. He is young and will learn to give his best and bring the best out of the boys. For me, Gill is a player ready to take on the world. With support from (Jasprit) Bumrah, I am sure Gill will emerge as a strong captain," he added.

Gill Reacts On His Captaincy Appointment

In his first reaction since being named India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill called the role a "great honour" and a "big responsibility."

"As a young kid, when anyone starts playing cricket, they want to play for India," Gill said. “Not just play for India, but play Test cricket for India for a very long time. To be able to get this opportunity is a great honour and like you said, it’s a big responsibility."

Succeeding Rohit Sharma, Gill becomes India’s 37th Test skipper and the fifth youngest in history. Speaking to the BCCI, he reflected on his childhood dream of playing Test cricket for India and now, leading the team in a new era.