As Indian cricket transitions into a new era, Shubman Gill is set to lead the national Test side for the first time in the upcoming five-match series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley. With the recent retirements of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, all eyes are now on the 25-year-old opener, who will take charge of a young and evolving Indian squad. Ahead of the high-profile tour, Gill opened up about the leadership challenge and the uncertainty surrounding the team's batting lineup post-Kohli.

Speaking before the team’s departure to England, Gill admitted that being handed the Test captaincy was an overwhelming yet exciting opportunity. “It’s a big responsibility. I’m looking forward to the great challenge ahead of us,” he said. This marks a defining moment for both Gill and Indian cricket as the team looks to rebuild under his leadership in one of the toughest cricketing environments.

With Kohli’s departure leaving a major void in India’s middle order, there has been widespread speculation about the new batting lineup. Gill clarified that no final decisions have been made regarding the order, and that the team will assess their options during the upcoming intra-squad match and 10-day preparatory camp in London starting June 13. “We haven’t really decided on the batting order yet. We still have some time, and after we play the intra-squad match, we will be in a better position to finalise it,” he explained.

The Headingley Test will not only test India’s mettle on foreign soil but will also mark the beginning of a generational shift in the squad’s core structure. Gill’s leadership, both as a tactician and top-order batter, will be closely watched as India looks to maintain its competitive edge despite major transitions.