Ravi Shastri Predicts Stellar Test Career for Shubman Gill, Urges Patience from Indian Selectors

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold prediction regarding the future of Shubman Gill in Test cricket. Shastri anticipates significant achievements for the young Indian talent in the coming years.

Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy during a nets session at Headingly, Leeds, England, Wednesday June 18, 2025. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Shastri expressed his expectations, stating, "I’ll be disappointed if Gill doesn’t go places. Languid, lazy elegance, and he’s got a regal element of being regal out there when he’s batting," as he told Wisden. He further emphasized the importance of adaptability, saying, "If he can learn with exposure and adapt to conditions, I think that’s the one name I can see."

Shastri also highlighted Gill's maturity, observing, "He’s matured a lot. The way he handles the media, the way he talks at press conferences, at tosses—he’s matured a lot." He advised the team management to show long-term faith in Gill, adding, "Let him be there for three years. Don’t chop and change irrespective of what happens in the series. Stick with him for three years, and I think he will deliver for you.”

Gill recently marked his captaincy debut with a remarkable century in Headingley. He joined an esteemed group of Indian cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar, who have all scored a century on their Test captaincy debut.

Gill's achievement places him as the 23rd player overall to score a century in their debut innings as captain. He is also the fourth-youngest to achieve this feat, following Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steven Smith.

India’s right-arm seamer Prasidh Krishna has also lauded the newly appointed Test skipper, saying the young middle-order batter has created a “very good atmosphere” in the dressing room.

“I think he did a pretty good job. All of us saw how he rotated the bowlers, made sure everybody had enough breaks, brought in people at the right times, and saw opportunities to bring in the right kind of bowlers. All of that was great, and knowing him, he set a very good atmosphere around. He’s been speaking to all of us. We always go in with a plan, and the communication is happening there.”