Shubman Gill will be up for the challenge of leading India back to glory in Tests, says Matthew Hayden

Shubman Gill will continue leading India's Test team during the two-match series against Sri Lanka beginning Saturday, August 15. The young captain has navigated the early phase of his tenure since taking over following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. Gill recently shook off an injury scare during a warm-up match and is ready for the first Test in Galle.

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opener who served as batting coach of Gujarat Titans during the 2026 Indian Premier League season, has assessed Gill's readiness for the Test captaincy role. Hayden worked closely with Gill when the young batter captained the franchise to the final, giving him direct insight into his leadership qualities and temperament under pressure.

"I guess in many ways India as a cricketing nation has also had a brilliant captain in Shubman Gill. He has many challenges to face, none of which is more important than the survival of Test match cricket," Hayden was quoted as saying by India Today.

India's Test cricket requires attention across multiple formats, according to Hayden's assessment. The former opener acknowledged that India maintains strength in shorter formats but recognises the work required in the longer game. Hayden noted that most cricket nations face similar challenges in sustaining Test cricket excellence while managing resources across all formats.

"And I feel India are in a much better position to continue their winning ways in the short formats, 50-over in particular, and T20 cricket, and they do have some work to do as most nations do in and around their Test and longer formats," Matthew said.

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Gill's appointment as captain came ahead of his record-breaking Test tour of England in June and August 2025, where he demonstrated both technical skill and leadership capability. The appointment reflected the team management's confidence in his ability to guide India through a challenging period in Test cricket. Hayden's backing reinforces the broader support Gill has received since taking the role.

"So I'm sure Shubman Gill will be up to that challenge. He's a wonderful young man and a good leader, and he's got a good team around him, albeit a team that's going to need to perform some younger players and some more experienced players. But they've got a job to do ahead of the World Test Championship final, which is in June next year," Hayden said.