Shubman Gill's recent appointment as India's Test captain has sparked discussions and garnered support from various corners of the cricketing world. Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, the selectors entrusted the leadership to the 25-year-old Gill, a decision that has been lauded as a forward-thinking move.

Former India batter WV Raman has weighed in on Gill's captaincy, highlighting the confidence Gill derives from knowing that the selectors are firmly behind him for the long haul. According to Raman, this backing provides Gill with a sense of security and allows him to focus on his game without the added pressure of constantly proving his place in the team. "He knows that the selectors will back him for a while. So, that should give him a lot of confidence, even as a batter, because if he was not the captain, maybe he might be feeling a little bit insecure and he might think that the axe is definitely hanging above his head. But now that he's made the captain, I think he doesn't need to even have those kinds of thoughts, which will obviously help him to get runs,” Raman told IANS.

Gill's journey to captaincy hasn't been without scrutiny, particularly regarding his Test record, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. While he has shown promise, his average in these nations is a modest 25.7 with only two 50-plus scores in 21 innings. In England, this average dips further to 14.67. Addressing these concerns, Raman suggested technical adjustments for Gill, advising him to wait for the ball to come onto him rather than playing on the up, a technique more suited to subcontinent pitches.

Despite these areas for improvement, Gill's leadership qualities have been praised. His captaincy of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025 showcased his maturity, composure under pressure, and ability to make sound decisions. Former cricketers like Robin Uthappa and Gary Kirsten have also voiced their support, emphasizing Gill's cricketing intelligence, preparation, and potential to inspire the team. Uthappa noted that Gill could lead India for the next 10 years if he gets it right, while Kirsten highlighted his understanding of the game and leadership by example.

Ricky Ponting has also endorsed Gill's appointment, calling it the "right move." He acknowledged that while some pundits questioned the decision to overlook Jasprit Bumrah, Ponting believes that Bumrah's injury concerns make him an unsuitable choice for captaincy. He emphasized the importance of a captain being consistently available and backed Gill to have a long and successful tenure.

As Gill prepares for his first assignment as Test captain in the five-match series against England starting on June 20, the confidence instilled by the selectors' backing, combined with his leadership acumen and the support of former players, sets a promising stage for his captaincy journey.