‘England Tests bigger than IPL’ – Shubman Gill ahead of Test Captaincy debut

Shubman Gill is stepping into a new chapter of his cricketing career. At just 24, he is all set to make his Test captaincy debut for his country. Team India will cross swords with England in the five-match Test series, in what is considered one of the toughest challenges in world cricket.

The first Test begins today at Headingley in Leeds, and the spotlight is firmly on the young captain, Shubman Gill. In a pre-match press conference, Gill made a statement that grabbed attention of the cricket fraternity.

Winning a Test series in England is bigger than winning the IPL : Shubman Gill

When asked whether he valued winning the IPL or leading India to a Test series victory in England more, his response was clear and confident. “Definitely winning the series in England would be the biggest thing, according to me.”

Gill explained that while the IPL is a grand stage, it comes around every year, offering repeated chances to perform. In contrast, winning a Test series in countries like England, Australia, or South Africa is rare and immensely challenging. According to him, those victories define great teams and great leaders.

He also highlighted how rare it is to lead the Indian team in England: “You get very few chances to come to England as a captain-unless you’re the best of your generation.”

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from Test cricket and veteran Ravichandran Ashwin also stepping away from the red-ball format, the baton has now been passed to Gill. For him, it is not just about filling big shoes; it is about building his own legacy.

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“This is the biggest honour for any player. Captaining your country in Test cricket is something very few people get a chance to do. I’m very excited about it,” he added in a statement.

Gill’s statement reflects a deep respect for the purest format of the game. There has been a common perception that the Test format is often sidelined in the age of T20 leagues. In a world obsessed with instant results, it is refreshing to hear a young player prioritize the tradition and pride of the longer format.