Big Shoes, Bigger Expectations

The buzz around Indian cricket just got louder. With Virat Kohli retired and Rohit Sharma out of the picture, Shubman Gill isn’t just a promising batter anymore—he’s India’s new Test captain. And if that wasn’t enough, everyone’s waiting to see how quickly he can fill the massive No.4 slot left vacant by Kohli. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who has seen a fair share of cricketing drama, has some candid advice for Gill: bring that white-ball magic to Test cricket.

Karthik knows all about reinventing yourself in different formats. Reflecting on Gill’s journey from opening to batting at No.3, he points out how moving to the middle order in Tests requires more than just technical adjustments. “It’s not as simple as it looks,” Karthik argues. Shubman’s grace and scoring ability in ODI and T20 matches are off the charts, but red-ball cricket is a different beast. The situation gets more intense when you’re tasked with leading the side in England—arguably the toughest place to prove your mettle as a batsman and captain.

England: Opportunity in Disguise?

The timing couldn’t be stranger. England’s legendary bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad are no longer in the attack, which changes the entire setup. Karthik doesn’t mince words—he calls this current England unit “vulnerable,” especially when it comes to their bowling lineup. While that may sound like good news, it also means the pressure doubles up on Gill to make a statement when the opportunity is there for the taking.

But what does Gill actually need to do? According to Karthik, the answer is clear: replicate that aggressive, yet controlled, white-ball mindset in the longer format. He’s smashed runs all over the park in limited-overs cricket, often dictating terms to the opposition. In Tests, though, the mental battle takes center stage. Batting at No.4, especially in England, will throw up situations where patience outweighs flamboyance. That’s where Karthik thinks Gill can tilt the balance—by channeling his Test cricket skills and showcasing consistency just when the team needs it most.

Karthik’s message isn’t sugar-coated: winning over teammates comes through what you do out there in the middle, not just inside the dressing room. The new captain may not yet feel the full weight of what’s coming—five grueling matches, hostile English crowds, and a country desperate to see if someone can finally step out of Kohli’s shadow. Karthik likens it to “walking into the lion’s den”—Nerve-wracking? Sure. But it’s also the kind of moment that can define an entire career.

Everyone’s keeping an eye on Gill’s adaptability. He’s never really looked unsure no matter where he’s batted, but here comes a shift in both position and responsibility that will test every ounce of his maturity. If he can crack this, he not only solves India’s middle-order headache but also silences plenty of doubters who think modern players can’t juggle white-ball and red-ball demands. The stakes are high, the expectations higher, and the next few weeks will tell us whether Gill truly has what it takes to reshape India’s Test future.