Sports News: The Indian cricket team is once again going to face the toughest test of Test cricket. The highly anticipated 5-Test series against England kicks off on June 20. A big change in this series is that this time the Indian team is going to be led by young and talented batsman Shubman Gill. This will be his first overseas tour as Test captain, and this has also raised new hopes for India's cricket future.
Expectations are pinned on Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has so far been known for his technical skills and restraint in limited overs and Test cricket. But the responsibility of captaincy is a different challenge—especially when you are playing on fast and swinging pitches like in England. India has experienced batsmen and bowlers, but it will not be easy for a young captain to win in England.
History is witness: Captains have created records in England
Playing on English pitches is no less than a litmus test for any batsman. But some Indian captains have scored centuries even in these conditions and brought glory to Indian cricket.
In 1967, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi became the first Indian to score a Test century in England as a captain by scoring 148 runs in Leeds. After this, in 1990, Mohammad Azharuddin scored two centuries—one at Lord's (121 runs) and the other at Manchester (179 runs). His innings are still remembered.
In 2002, Sourav Ganguly strengthened India with his aggressive batting by scoring 121 runs in Leeds. And in 2018, Virat Kohli played two of the most impressive innings of his career in England—149 runs in Birmingham and 103 runs in Nottingham.
Shubman has a golden opportunity
If Shubman Gill manages a century as captain in England, he will secure his spot in a legendary chapter of Indian cricket history. His batting has the class and technique that can come in handy against England.
Time to repeat history
This England tour of India is not just a Test series but the beginning of a new cricketing journey. If Shubman Gill succeeds in both roles as captain and batsman, it will not only establish his captaincy but will also be the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket.
