"Shubman is just 24 or 25 right now" - Robin Uthappa on Shubman Gill captaining India in ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former India player Robin Uthappa has lauded the selectors for appointing a youngster like Shubman Gill as the Test captain for the tour of England. He pointed out that the 25-year-old could lead the Indian Test side for a decade or so if he does well in England.

India will lock horns with England in a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Leeds on June 20. With Rohit Sharma announcing his Test retirement ahead of the series, Shubman has been given the reins of the 18-member Indian squad.

During a discussion on the Star Sports show 'Game Plan', Uthappa opined that Gill being appointed Test captain could hold India in good stead.

"You have got to give tops to that selection committee because they have gone with foresight. Shubman is just 24 or 25 right now. If he gets this right, then you can see him leading the Indian Test side for the next 10 years, the next decade, and that leaves Indian cricket in great hands because he is a high-quality bat," he said.

The former India opener praised the Gujarat Titans skipper for his captaincy in the recently concluded IPL 2025.

"We have seen his captaincy evolve from last year to this year just in the IPL, just the way he led the Gujarat Titans, the intensity with which he functioned, the decisions he made on the field, and the way he stood up for his teammates with the umpires or anything that happened on the field," Uthappa elaborated.

Robin Uthappa noted that a leader needs to have that kind of intensity, highlighting that Shubman Gill is a solid batter who can inspire performances from the rest of the side. He added that Gill needs to be given time before judgments are passed on his leadership.

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"He has all the raw materials to become a really good leader" - Gary Kirsten on Shubman Gill as India's captain for ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Shubman Gill has represented India in 32 Tests. [P/C: Getty]

On the same show, former South African opener Gary Kirsten claimed that Shubman Gill has all the required leadership qualities.

"He is going to be a great leader. He is a smart cricketer. He has got a good brain for the game. He understands his game deeply. He is very talented, and he is a nice human being. He has all the raw materials to become a really good leader," he said.

The former India head coach predicted a bright future for Gill as Test captain.

"The one thing I like about Shubman is that he will walk his talk as well. He is very organized and diligent around his training and his preparation, which will be a great example to other players. I think he is primed to take on the international scene by storm," Kirsten observed.

Shubman Gill has never captained India in Tests. He has aggregated 1893 runs at an underwhelming average of 35.05 in 32 Tests, and will want to perform better as a batter while leading the side.