Navjot Singh Sidhu dismisses idea of appointing Shubman Gill as Test captain ahead of England series

Former Indian Test opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has squashed the idea of appointing Shubman Gill as India’s Test captain ahead of England series. After Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Gill and Rishabh Pant are the front-runners to take the leadership role in the red-ball version.

As per the reports, India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has opted out of the captaincy role. Sidhu noted that while Gill is the future of Indian cricket but he doesn’t have a great batting record while playing overseas.

Gill is yet to score a Test century outside the Indian subcontinent and averages only 25 while playing away.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Sports Tak, “After Rohit’s departure, there is a lack of experience. And I give you proof of this. If you make Gill the captain, I will always advocate for Gill. I think he is the future. But Gill’s record outside the subcontinent is not that great, he averages just 25. He has two half-centuries. He doesn’t have a single century.”

Shubman Gill has scored 1893 runs in 32 Test matches at an average of 35.06, including five centuries.

Gill is in good form in IPL 2025, scoring 508 runs in 11 matches at an average of 50.8 and a strike rate of 152.55 while leading the Gujarat Titans. 

There is no doubt that Gill must come up with more consistent performances in the red-ball version to be considered for the captaincy role. It would be interesting to note selectors’ final call as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from Test cricket.

India would play the first Test match against England at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20.