Opinion The Third Edit: Captain Shubman

Appointing Shubman Gill the captain for the Test tour of England is not a shot in the dark, a desperate measure or a wild gamble. It is a calculated move in the backdrop of the team’s transition. He was the most pragmatic choice in a side that is being rebuilt after a spate of retirements and players being phased out. The only other alternative candidate was Jasprit Bumrah, but his dodgy fitness record and the priority to preserve him for the most important fixtures weighed against him. Rishabh Pant has not hit the high notes of late; Ravindra Jadeja is riding into the sunset.

There is little doubt about Gill’s credentials. He is India’s batting mainstay, especially in the post Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma era. He has sufficient leadership experience — he is the vice captain of his ODI team and is in his second year as Gujarat Titans captain. Captaining an IPL side is a stern test, and Gill has grown into the role, especially this year with his franchise in the play-offs. He is calm, confident and endowed with the poise to be a leader and the heart to keep on fighting, even though he is not the most expressive person on field. In his short career, he has experienced ups and downs that have instilled a sense of equanimity. He has made a comeback and worked rigorously to fix the flaws in his batting technique against spin bowling. He is a popular figure in the squad, has presence and influence, and at 26, with 29 Tests in his register, is the senior-most among the young brigade.

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With responsibility, however, comes more scrutiny. Captains like Virat Kohli thrived in such situations, feeding off a siege mentality. Kohli’s most prolific batting days came during his captaincy. Some others have withered under the weight of the job to lead the most feverishly followed cricket team in the world. How Gills adapts to his new role and guides India through a phase of flux could end up defining his, and the team’s, trajectory.