Gambhir on Shubman Gill’s captaincy: “We threw him into a deep sea”

New Delhi: After India’s 2-0 Test series win against the West Indies, head coach Gautam Gambhir has shed light on his first conversation with Shubman Gill following the young batter’s appointment as India’s Test captain, revealing that he told Gill he was being “thrown into a deep sea” and that this would be the toughest test of his leadership.

The Test captaincy baton was handed to Gill after Rohit Sharma retired from the format, marking a new era for Indian cricket. Gill’s first major challenge as captain came during the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy in England — a daunting assignment that tested both his temperament and tactical acumen.

Speaking to JioStar, Gambhir said Gill’s composure during the high-pressure tour impressed him more than his prolific run tally.

“I vividly remember that first conversation with Gill as captain. We told him bluntly that we had thrown him into a deep sea — either he would drown or become a world-class swimmer,” Gambhir said. “Those 750 runs in England didn’t matter as much to me; what mattered was the way he handled himself under pressure. Leading a young team against a quality England side, I think Gill faced the toughest test of his captaincy.”

Gambhir added that after India’s win in the Oval Test, he told Gill that the hardest part of his leadership transition was over.

“After the Oval Test, I told him he had passed his most difficult test — that the transition was complete. I sincerely hope things become smoother for him because he truly deserves it,” Gambhir said. “He led with a smile under immense pressure and never once showed frustration. That composure defines great leaders.”

Under Gill’s captaincy, India displayed resilience to secure a 2–2 series draw in England, with the young skipper also excelling with the bat — scoring 754 runs in five Tests at an average of 75.40, including four centuries, earning him the Player of the Series award.

Returning home, Gill continued his fine form, finishing as India’s third-highest run-scorer in the two-Test series against the West Indies, which India won 2–0.

With the transition phase continuing, Gill has now also taken over the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma, as the selectors look to build stability ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. His first assignment as India’s limited-overs captain will be a three-match ODI series in Australia, starting Sunday in Perth.