Shubman Gill has made a remarkable entry as India’s Test captain, scoring heavily and leading with confidence. However, former captain Sourav Ganguly, while appreciating the young cricketer’s achievements, warned that bigger challenges lie ahead.
Speaking to reporters during his 53rd birthday celebration at Eden Gardens, Ganguly said, “This is the best I’ve seen him bat and I’m not surprised.”
Gill’s numbers speak for themselves. In just two Tests as captain, he has scored 585 runs at an average of 146.25, including three centuries, one of them a double hundred.
Records Tumble in Birmingham
India defeated England by 336 runs at Edgbaston, leveling the five-match series 1-1. Gill played a key role with scores of 269 and 161, setting a new record for the highest match total by an Indian batter.
He now sits just 18 runs behind Rahul Dravid’s record of 602 runs in a single Test series in England, set during the 2002 tour. With three more matches to go, Gill has a strong chance of breaking that mark.
Bradman’s Record in Sight
Gill’s incredible start has put him within striking distance of one of cricket’s oldest records. Australian legend Don Bradman scored 810 runs in the 1936–37 Ashes as captain. Gill needs 225 more runs to surpass that total and make history.
Still, Ganguly cautioned against overconfidence. “He has just become captain, it’s a honeymoon period. But there would be more pressure with time. The pressure will build in the next three Tests,” he noted.
India’s Young Talent Continues to Shine
With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R. Ashwin missing from the squad, India’s younger stars have stepped up. Ganguly praised this new wave of talent and said Indian cricket has always produced great players.
“There is so much talent in Indian cricket. In every generation you will find players,” Ganguly said. “After the great Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble came and then Kohli, now Gill, Jaiswal, Akash Deep, Mukesh, Siraj… just see the abundance of talent. In every generation, whenever there’s a void, they will come and fill it. I’ve always said that.”
Series Still Wide Open
Despite India’s dominant performance in Birmingham, Ganguly stressed that the team must stay focused. “It’s just one-all. There’s still a lot to play for with three matches to go,” he said.
He added that India needs to restart from scratch in the next match. “India played well, and have been playing well. But again, you have to start from scratch in the next match (at Lord’s),” he reminded.