India is set to write a fresh chapter in its Test cricket journey as they take on England in a five-match series starting June 20 in Leeds. With young star Shubman Gill at the helm, this series marks the beginning of India’s new World Test Championship cycle and the dawn of a new leadership era.Excitement is equally high in the England camp ahead of the high-profile contest. In a recently posted video on YouTube, English stalwarts Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad spoke at length about Gill’s new role and the weight of expectations that come with being India’s Test captain.“I don’t think we can quite understand the level of interest and the stardom that these guys have. You see it around the IPL, you’re aware of it, but actually living that yourself… I think they say the Indian Test captain is like the third or fourth-most influential person in India, behind the Prime Minister etc. — so you really are put up on that pedestal,” Buttler remarked, highlighting the immense pressure and celebrity status that follows India’s Test leaders.
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Buttler also spoke of Gill’s profile as a captain, drawing insights from his time at Gujarat Titans. “I think he’ll be a mix sort of, of (Virat) Kohli and Rohit (Sharma)”, said Buttler. “In Kohli, he’s sort of really aggressive, sort of transformed the Indian team, in your face, up for the contest. Rohit, a bit more on the other side, a bit more laid back, very cool, calm, collected, but with that fire. My time knowing Shubman so far, he’ll be a bit in the middle.“
Buttler, who shared the GT dressing room with Gill during this IPL season, knows firsthand what Gill brings to the table. The English wicketkeeper-batter enjoyed a productive run in the tournament himself, scoring 539 runs in 14 matches with a best of 97*. Despite his form, the Titans fell short in the playoffs, losing to Mumbai Indians.India too, are leaving no stone unturned in preparation. The squad recently wrapped up an intra-squad match between India A and the senior team at Beckenham, which was called off midway through Day 3 by the management to manage player workloads. The team will depart for Leeds on Tuesday, June 17, ready to face the challenge ahead.
With a promising young captain, a new cycle in sight, and a clash against an in-form England side, Indian cricket fans can expect a gripping series as Shubman Gill begins writing his legacy at the top.
