Shubman Gill Handed Prime Role As New Test Captain Of India: AB De Villiers

India to Play England in Five-Match Test Series from June 20

India will start a five-match Test series against England on June 20. The series will be the start of the new phase of the ICC World Test Championship.

The retirement of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket has brought more attention to how the younger team will hold up in challenging English conditions. Ravichandran Ashwin also retired on the eve of the Australia tour last year. Moreover, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was omitted as a result of recurring fitness concerns. All these bring grave challenges to the Indian team.

Shubman Gill Appointed New Test Captain

With the departure of the experienced players, Shubman Gill has become the new captain of the Indian Test side. At 25, he will be in charge of the team during a challenging period. Former South African cricket player AB de Villiers had the following to say on this at an event in Mumbai.

He added, "It's a good time for Indian cricket to move into a new chapter. The young players now have to step up. Shubman Gill has a huge responsibility to take the Test team forward. India has an abundance of young players, and lots of credit goes to the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL just continues to bring out players with promise. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was the standout this season with a level-headed approach towards the game."

Challenges in England and Kohli’s Retirement

De Villiers also discussed the upcoming series in England. “Playing a Test series in England is always tough. But Indian players have enough skill to handle the pressure. With determination, they can achieve success,” he added.

He also talked about his old Royal Challengers Bangalore player, Virat Kohli, and his retirement from Test cricket. "Kohli made his decision after giving everything to the game. He played at the top level for years. Fortunately, fans will still get to see him on the pitch in other formats. He will be missed in red-ball cricket. His presence in Test cricket is unforgettable," de Villiers added.