Shubman Gill’s breakthrough as captain in England has drawn strong praise from one of India’s most respected voices. Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh described Gill’s leadership in the recently concluded five-match Test series as “unbelievable,” highlighting both his batting and his ability to handle pressure.
Gill, only 25 and making his captaincy debut, scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40, including four centuries. His 269 at Edgbaston, followed by 161 in the second innings, set up a record win for India. By the end of the series, which finished 2-2, he had been named India’s Player of the Series and the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2025.
“There were a lot of question marks over his overseas record,” Yuvraj told ICC Digital during an event marking the countdown to the Women’s World Cup. “The guy became the captain and scored four Test hundreds. It’s just unbelievable that when you’re given responsibility, how you take it.”
The tour presented complexities from the outset. Absent Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian camp was immediately under duress, and the scrutiny on Shubman Gill’s captaincy intensi ed, compounded by juxtaposition to the legacy in Kohli and Rohit. Nevertheless, the group orchestrated a spirited riposte, erasing a deficits and securing the series on the final ball at The Oval by a margin of six runs.
Yuvraj said that resilience defined the squad. “It’s fantastic because I felt when you have a young team going to England, it’s a lot of pressure. You’re filling the boots of somebody like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, it’s not easy.”
He also pointed to the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar hit centuries to force a draw. “I’ve never seen, in a very long time, Washington and Jadeja get hundreds and draw a Test match. Sundar, as a youngster, did something incredible,” Yuvraj said.
The numbers back up the impact. Gill’s average before the tour stood at 35.05. After the series, it climbed to 41.35, according to ESPNcricinfo. He now holds the second-highest tally of runs by a captain in a single Test series.
For Yuvraj, who has mentored Gill in the past, the performance wasn’t just about statistics. It was about proving that a young player could step into responsibility and thrive under difficult conditions. For Gill, the England series might be the turning point that silences doubts about his game overseas.
