Ravi Shastri Predicts Stellar Test Future for Shubman Gill, Urges Consistent Run OR Shastri Backs Gill for Test Success, Emphasizes Importance of Patience and Adaptability

Ravi Shastri Predicts Bright Future for Shubman Gill in Test Cricket

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold prediction regarding the future of Shubman Gill as a Test captain. Shastri anticipates a successful trajectory for Gill, expressing confidence in his abilities.

India's 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)

"I’ll be disappointed if Gill doesn’t go places," Shastri told Wisden, highlighting Gill's "languid, lazy elegance" and "regal element" while batting. He further emphasized the importance of adaptability: "If he can learn with exposure and adapt to conditions, I think that’s the one name I can see."

Shastri also commented on Gill's maturity: "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 urged the team management to provide Gill with a consistent run. "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," he added.

Gill recently marked his captaincy debut with a century in Headingley, joining an elite group of Indian players like Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar who have achieved this feat.

Gill is the 23rd player overall to score a century in their debut innings as captain and the fourth-youngest to do so, only preceded by Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steven Smith.

India’s right-arm seamer Prasidh Krishna has also lauded the newly appointed Test skipper, observing that the young middle-order batter has fostered a "very good atmosphere" within the team's 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.”