India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has lauded Shubman Gill for his dedication and analytical approach to his game, especially highlighting improvements made since the tour of Australia. This praise comes after Gill's impressive century in the first Test against England, where he is also making his debut as captain. Kotak emphasized that Gill had identified areas for improvement and diligently worked on them, resulting in the fine performance.

Kotak's observations came after the second day's play in the first Test at Headingley. While England mounted a spirited fightback led by Ollie Pope's unbeaten century, Gill's contribution in the first innings, where he compiled a career-best 147, was instrumental in India posting a formidable total. This performance is particularly significant given that Gill is stepping into the captain's role for the first time in Test cricket.

"After the Australia tour, Shubman Gill worked on certain things. The moment I saw him in the nets, I noticed. A lot of credit to him for analysing and working on things," Kotak stated, underscoring the importance of self-assessment and adaptation in achieving success at the highest level.

Shubman Gill's journey in international cricket has been marked by both highs and lows. Gill, born on September 8, 1999, made his international debut for India in January 2019. He has since become a vital component of the Indian batting lineup across all formats. Gill has shown his talent representing Punjab in domestic cricket and leading the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. He is known as the 'Prince of Indian Cricket'.

While Gill has showcased his potential in various formats, his Test career has seen fluctuations. As of June 2025, Gill has played 32 Test matches, scoring 1893 runs at an average of 35.05, including 6 centuries. While these numbers reflect a promising start, there have been concerns about his consistency, especially in overseas conditions.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik pointed out that Gill needs to replicate his white-ball form in Test cricket to truly cement his place. Gill's form in ODIs is particularly impressive, with 2775 runs at an average of 59.04, including eight centuries and a double century. The challenge for Gill is to translate this success to the Test arena, especially now that he is shouldering the responsibility of captaincy.

Former India coach Gary Kirsten has also expressed confidence in Gill's leadership abilities. "I think Shubman is going to be a great leader. He's a smart cricketer -- he's got a good brain for the game and understands his game," Kirsten noted. He further added, "The one thing I really like about Shubman is that he walks the talk. He's very organised, very diligent with his training and preparation, and that sets a great example for other players. I think he's primed to take on the international stage by storm."

Ravi Shastri, another former India coach, advised Gill to be patient and composed as he leads the team in the challenging five-Test series in England. Shastri acknowledged that captaining India on a tour of England is a tough job, especially with a relatively young squad.

With the recent retirements of seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Gill's role as captain becomes even more crucial. His leadership and batting prowess will be under intense scrutiny as India navigates the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. The series in England will be a significant test of his technique, temperament, and leadership skills.

Batting at number 4, a position previously held by Virat Kohli, Gill has big shoes to fill. His ability to score consistently and lead the team effectively will be vital for India's success. The backing from the batting coach and the words of encouragement from former coaches highlight the belief in Gill's potential to excel in his new role.