Fans lash out at BCCI for naming Shubman Gill as India’s new Test captain ahead of England series

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ushered in a new era by naming Shubman Gill as the captain for the upcoming five-Test series in England, succeeding Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format after a disappointing season. While the move signals a generational shift and a bold new direction for Indian cricket, it has sparked a wave of criticism and debate among fans and pundits, many of whom believe the decision is fraught with risk and missed opportunities.

The announcement of Gill, just 25 and relatively inexperienced in red-ball leadership, has left a significant section of the cricketing public unimpressed. Many fans took to social media to question the BCCI’s rationale, especially given Gill’s modest overseas Test record, an average of 27.53 away from home compared to 42.03 in India, and his lack of captaincy experience in the longer format. Critics argue that with established leaders like Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul in the squad, and Rishabh Pant named as vice-captain, Gill’s elevation feels premature and potentially destabilizing for a team entering a crucial World Test Championship cycle.

Several supporters voiced concerns about overlooking Bumrah, who had successfully captained the side in Australia when Rohit was unavailable, and whose tactical acumen has been widely praised. However, BCCI insiders cited workload management as a reason for not handing the full-time role to the pace spearhead, who is expected to miss some matches in the upcoming cycle. Others lamented the lack of continuity, with both Rohit and Virat Kohli, stalwarts of Indian cricket, retiring from Tests, leaving a leadership vacuum that some feel Gill may not yet be ready to fill.

Also READ: BCCI announces India’s Test squad for England tour, names new captain and vice-captain

Shubman Gill outside Asia since Gabba 91:

28, 8, 17, 4, 13, 18, 6, 10, 29*, 2, 26, 36, 10, 31, 28, 1, 20, 13.

BCCI is trying hard to market Shubman Gill as the next Virat Kohli. From now on every Gill failure will be celebrated like a festival. 👍

— Krishna. (@KrishVK_18) May 24, 2025

Shubman Gill to BCCI after being appointed Test captain

— maithun (@Being_Humor) May 24, 2025

Shubman Gill As A Captain.

Worst Decision By Clown 🤡 BCCI.

PANT DESERVES TEST CAPTAINCY#INDvsENG

— KingKohlism (@Kohli_133) May 24, 2025

Why do we need selfish players like Shubman Gill who can't play for the team.

I had a doubt on him since he made Rohit Sharma runout against Afghanistan.

Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal deserve a good captain.#IndvsZim

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) July 13, 2024

Best of Luck Captain Shubman GillI hope your work on your voice.

— Musa (@peaceinagony) May 24, 2025

Brain fade moment for BCCI!

How can Shubman Gill be named as Test captain? He was benched on Australia tour and still can't play incoming deliveries #ENGvIND

— Kumar Sourav (@AdamDhoni1) May 24, 2025

Leave BCCI Jasprit Bumrah. They don't deserve you.

— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) May 24, 2025

BCCI really out here like: Experience? Leadership? Nah bro, who’s trending on Insta?’ Congrats Captain Shubman Gill.

— Blablabla (@Bhaukal_ba1) May 24, 2025

Shubham Gill the captain, seriously @BCCI?? After BGT this tour will also be a nightmare. Stoksey will eat it out our team#BCCI #shubhmangill

— Varun Verma (@varunv04) May 24, 2025

England will smash India 5-0 and credits goes to BCCI

— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) May 24, 2025

Despite the backlash, the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have defended the decision, emphasizing Gill’s leadership potential and his calm, mature approach, which has been evident in his stints as T20I captain and as the leader of Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Supporters of the move see it as a forward-thinking gamble, banking on Gill’s talent and temperament to guide a relatively young squad through a transitional phase.

Still, the pressure on Gill is immense. He becomes India’s youngest Test captain since Kohli took charge in 2014, and inherits a team with high expectations and a demanding schedule—starting with a tough tour of England, where Indian batters have historically struggled. The absence of experienced campaigners like Rohit, Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin means Gill must quickly earn the trust of both senior players and fans, while also addressing his own inconsistencies abroad.

The coming months will be a litmus test for both Gill and the BCCI’s vision. If Gill rises to the occasion, he could cement his legacy as a transformative leader. If not, the criticism from fans may only intensify, and the decision could haunt Indian cricket’s powerbrokers for years to come.

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