India has ushered in a new era in red-ball cricket, appointing 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the 20th Test captain. The Punjab-born batter will lead the side in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025. The leadership transition follows the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket earlier this May.

Major Setback Prompts Leadership Change

The announcement comes on the heels of a difficult phase for Indian cricket. Earlier in 2025, India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 to Australia, marking Australia’s first Test series win on Indian soil in 14 years. This came after India’s stunning 3-0 home series whitewash against New Zealand in late 2024, snapping a 12-year unbeaten home streak. With the team in need of revival, Gill now shoulders the responsibility of rebuilding India’s dominance in the longest format.

Gill’s Leadership Journey So Far

Despite his young age, Gill brings valuable leadership experience. He is currently the vice-captain of India’s ODI side and has led Gujarat Titans in 25 IPL matches, registering 14 wins. He also captained India in five T20Is, winning four of them. While his experience in Test leadership is limited, both teammates and coaching staff have acknowledged his cricketing intelligence and calm leadership style.

Rohit Sharma Bids Goodbye to Test Cricket

Rohit Sharma, aged 38, announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, 2025, through an Instagram story. Expressing his gratitude, he wrote: “It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format.”

Virat Kohli’s Emotional Exit

Just five days later, on May 12, Virat Kohli also called time on his Test career. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he said: “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.”

Shubman Gill’s Record-Breaking Achievements

Gill’s rise has been powered by consistent performances across formats:

Youngest double centurion in ODIs: Scored 208 vs New Zealand at 23 years, 132 days (January 2023).
Fastest Indian to 1,000 ODI runs: Achieved in just 19 innings.
Second-fastest Indian to 5,000 T20 runs: Crossed this milestone during IPL 2025 vs Delhi Capitals.
Top IPL performer: Scored 636 runs in IPL 2025, solidifying Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup.

With a record of excellence and calm maturity, Gill now faces his biggest test yet — steering India through a transformative period in Test cricket.