As Shubman Gill gears up to lead India for the first time in Test cricket against England at Headingley, all eyes are on the young opener who steps into the role at just 25. Test captaincy comes with unique pressures, and over the years, some of India’s most iconic players have had mixed fortunes in their first matches as skipper. Here’s a look back at how previous Indian Test captains began their leadership journeys:Jasprit Bumrah (2022, Birmingham vs England)Bumrah became the first fast bowler to captain India in Tests in decades. He picked up five wickets in the match, but England chased down 378 to win by seven wickets.Rohit Sharma (2022, Mohali vs Sri Lanka)Rohit began his captaincy tenure in style, leading India to an innings and 222-run victory. Though he scored only 29, it was a dominant team performance in his debut Test as skipper.
KL Rahul (2022, Johannesburg vs South Africa)Rahul scored a gritty 50 in the first innings but couldn’t stop India from slipping to a seven-wicket defeat. His brief stint as stand-in captain showed promise but lacked a result to match.Ajinkya Rahane (2017, Dharamsala vs Australia)Rahane led from the front with calm assurance, guiding India to a comfortable eight-wicket win. His knocks of 46 and an unbeaten 38* helped seal the series.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Virat Kohli (2014, Adelaide vs Australia)Kohli’s captaincy debut was a memorable one. Taking charge in Adelaide, he scored centuries in both innings — 115 and 141 and almost guiding India to a dramatic win. Though India lost by 48 runs, Kohli made a powerful statement as leader and batter.MS Dhoni (2008, Kanpur vs South Africa)Dhoni’s Test captaincy began with a win. He made 32 in his only innings and India chased down a small fourth-innings target with ease.Anil Kumble (2007, Delhi vs Pakistan)India’s legendary spinner had a dream start as captain, taking 7 wickets in the match and helping India to a six-wicket win in a closely contested Test.
Virender Sehwag (2005, Ahmedabad vs Sri Lanka)Sehwag had a forgettable outing with the bat with the scores of 20 and 0 — but India won by 259 runs, thanks to strong performances from others.Rahul Dravid (2003, Mohali vs New Zealand)Dravid’s captaincy debut ended in a draw. With the bat, he managed only 13 and 5, in a match dominated by New Zealand’s big first-innings total.Sourav Ganguly (2000, Dhaka vs Bangladesh)Ganguly began with a commanding win against Bangladesh. He scored 84 and watched his side chase down a small target with ease, kickstarting a significant leadership era in Indian cricket.With this legacy behind him, Shubman Gill walks into Headingley hoping to carve out his own chapter in Indian cricket. Whether he follows the footsteps of Kohli’s aggression, Rahane’s calmness, or Ganguly’s spark, the stage is set for a fresh leader to emerge.
