‘I believe in leading by example’: Gill on Test captaincy

Shubman Gill has officially stepped into the role of India's 37th Test captain, bringing with him a blend of youthful clarity and deep respect for the game's traditions. 

Speaking in his first interview since the appointment, the 25-year-old shared his thoughts with BCCI.tv on the honour of leading India, the influence of past greats, and the road ahead, beginning with the upcoming five-Test series against England.

Gill's elevation to Test captaincy follows the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format earlier this month. 

With a new World Test Championship cycle beginning, the selectors unveiled an 18-member squad for the England series, with Gill at the helm.

"It is definitely a bit overwhelming," Gill admitted. 

"As a young kid, when you start playing cricket, you dream of playing for India, and playing Test cricket is the ultimate honour. To be named captain is a great responsibility, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

A naturally composed presence at the crease, Gill carries that same calm into his leadership philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on results, he emphasised the value of building trust and understanding within the team.

"I believe in leading by example — not just by scoring runs, but through discipline, preparation, and how I carry myself. A captain must know when to guide and when to give players their space."

Gill also spoke of the importance of connecting with players off the field.

"When you understand someone beyond cricket, you can really get the best out of them. Those deeper conversations help build a stronger team."

While the burden of captaincy can weigh on any player, Gill is clear about maintaining his mental clarity as a batsman.

"When I'm out there batting, I just want to be a batsman. If I start thinking like a captain, it adds pressure. The key is to stay free and make decisions the way I naturally would as a player."

Gill's recent form supports that mindset. He has led Gujarat Titans admirably in IPL 2025, with the team topping the table and Gill among the leading run-scorers, second only to his teammate Sai Sudharsan — who has now earned his first Test call-up.

Reflecting on the path laid by his predecessors, Gill spoke highly of Kohli and Sharma's leadership.

"Virat bhai brought intensity and hunger, always leading from the front. Rohit bhai was calm, clear, and extremely communicative. Their approaches were different, but both showed how to build a winning Test team — especially overseas."

With a challenging tour of England on the horizon, Gill is both grounded and excited.

"My favourite series was the five-Test home series against England. The format is demanding — mentally and physically — and that's what makes it special. It won't be easy, but we're ready."