Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has urged India’s newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill to build a strong leadership core around him as the team prepares for their 5-match Test series in England. This series marks a new era in Indian red-ball cricket, as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not be part of the squad—making it a fresh start with a young and evolving team.
Chopra emphasized the importance of creating a “pack of wolves,” a close-knit group of 4–5 players who Gill can rely on for support and input. He named Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj as potential members of this leadership group. According to Chopra, this core will provide stability and foster a collective team culture, which is vital for a young side building itself from scratch.
“Form a leadership group—bring 4–5 players together and build a core. These are the guys who’ll be with you today, in six months, and five years down the line. With a young team, it's important that the captain grows with the group,” Chopra said during a discussion on JioHotstar on June 5. He highlighted the opportunity to unite seniors and juniors, who often have different routines and mindsets, into a cohesive unit that can inspire the nation.
The upcoming England series will also mark the start of India’s new cycle in the World Test Championship (WTC). India has been a strong contender in previous editions, reaching the finals twice under Kohli and Rohit Sharma but losing to New Zealand and Australia respectively. However, the 2025 WTC cycle ended disappointingly with India failing to qualify for the final after poor performances in the last two Test series.
Gill’s captaincy is under some scrutiny as he is relatively new to the Test XI and only 25 years old, still developing as a batter. Chopra advised Gill to draw inspiration from Kohli’s hunger and leadership qualities but cautioned against feeling pressured to occupy the No.4 batting position simply because Kohli vacated it. Instead, Gill should find his ideal spot in the batting order based on what best benefits the team.
“You can take inspiration from Virat Kohli’s success, his hunger for runs, his leadership—but not necessarily his batting number. Batting position isn’t about copying someone—it’s about where you fit in the team and how it benefits the side,” Chopra explained. “Learn from Kohli’s mindset, play with an extra bowler if needed. That’s what leaders do—make sacrifices for the team.”
The exact playing XI for the England tour is yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected that KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who opened in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, will continue as openers. The No.3 spot is likely to be contested between Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan.
In summary, Chopra’s advice to Shubman Gill focuses on building a trusted leadership group, finding the right batting position for himself without undue pressure, and nurturing a young Indian team that can grow together and create a lasting legacy in Test cricket.
