Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has backed Shubman Gill to handle the growing responsibility of leading India in Test cricket, while acknowledging that the young captain and his team have plenty of work to do to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Gill took over as India’s Test captain in 2025 following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Since taking charge, he has shown impressive consistency with the bat and has guided India to five wins in nine Tests, alongside three defeats and one draw.

Matthew Hayden, who previously worked with Gill at the Gujarat Titans, believes the Indian captain has the qualities required to succeed despite the challenges ahead. “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 told ANI.

The former Australia opener stressed that India needs to strengthen their approach in the longer format, even though the team remains well placed in white-ball cricket. Hayden believes India has the resources to continue performing strongly in ODIs and T20Is but must find greater consistency in Test cricket.

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“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. They do have some work to do, as most nations do, around their Test and longer formats,” he added.

Hayden also praised Gill’s leadership qualities and highlighted the importance of finding the right balance between youth and experience within the Indian Test squad. With the WTC final scheduled for June next year, every Test will carry significant importance for Gill and his team.

“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,” Matthew Hayden said.

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India are now set to face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series beginning August 15. Gill, who recently faced an injury scare during the warm-up game, has recovered in time and is expected to lead India in the opening Test in Galle.