A NEW era begins for Indian cricket in England as the team hits a fresh transition under a new leaders. Shubman Gill, the opener who was struggling to keep his place in the Test team a few months ago, has been handed over the responsibility to take the team through the crucial phase. Gill’s selection ahead of captaincy candidates Jasprit Bumrah and K L Rahul marks a shift in the thinking of national selectors. The wise men seem to have gone with the Dhoni experiment the BCCI did when the veterans of Indian cricket including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly andVVS Laxman were still plying their trade. The then committee of selectors decided to go with a fresh candidate, believing in his leadership qualities and captaincy skills. Now, the Ajit Agarkar-led panel of selectors has put faith in Gill to guide the new team while taking all the established regulars along. The change has been effected after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession.

 

The twin exits created quite a flutter in the fraternity even as the BCCI took this opportunity to hit the transition plans in the right earnest. Despite having Bumrah as a ready choice for captainship, the selectors have firmly pushed for a new face to effect the change in senior team. Bumrah had led India in two Tests against Australia and looked an automatic choice to lead in England. However, the selectors must have considered the injury-prone nature of the pacer and the danger of losing a captain in the five-Test long series. It is good thinking on part of the selectors to avoid rocking the boat midway in the series. The England series now provides an opportunity for Gill to announce his fresh arrival as a bold and thinking captain.

 

He has already showed the traits of being a players’ captain in the Indian Premier League. Leading the Gujarat Titans, Gill has exhibited good skills of man-management and competitive spirit without being overtly aggressive. It has already impressed former legends of the game including Sunil Gavaskar. Though a few of GT coaches feel it is too early to hand over national team captaincy to Gill, the IPL experience is sure to help him navigate perhaps his most challenging assignment.For Gill, the England tour presents a plethora of challenges that will either make him a successful captain or break the batsman in him. It is stark truth that the new skipper will have to factor in without any grudge. The conditions in England and the history of struggles of Indian batsmen are too well known for the hosts. In the last few visits, India have remained a worthy competitor but also were guilty of losing way despite having upper hand. It will keep playing on the mind of the team that has too many undertested players and a totally new captain. Gill will have to use his fighting spirit to turn the handicaps into advantage to send a bold message across about a new era beginning in Indian cricket.