Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Shubman Gill is poised to become Indian cricket’s next poster boy, following in the footsteps of iconic figures like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli. On the Stick to Cricket podcast, Shastri highlighted Gill’s appeal, not just in terms of cricketing talent, but also his marketability.
“He’s young, fresh, has the looks,” Ravi Shastri said, pointing out that Gill’s calm demeanor and growing stature as a batter and leader make him an ideal face for Indian cricket’s next chapter. “With his captaincy and runs, he’s already emerging as a pin-up boy. Now’s the time to cash in.”
Shastri added that Yashasvi Jaiswal is also in the frame, but the spotlight traditionally favours batters, and Gill is well on his way with a consistent bat and composed presence on and off the field.
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Earlier in the podcast, Ravi Shastri also shed light on the massive endorsement earnings of Indian cricket stars. He revealed that players like Dhoni, Kohli, and Tendulkar, at their peak, made upwards of ₹100 crore annually just through advertising deals. “They’d shoot one day, and the ad would run all year. That’s the model,” Shastri explained.
“He will be the pin-up boy” ⭐
Ravi Shastri says Shubman Gill is ready to take over the spotlight 🎯 pic.twitter.com/eIm17O2Ek0
— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) July 25, 2025
Meanwhile, across the border in Manchester, England’s Joe Root reminded the world why he’s considered one of modern cricket’s finest. The classy right-hander notched up his 38th Test hundred with an imperious 150 off 248 deliveries.
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Supported by Ben Stokes (77*) and Ollie Pope (71), Root led England’s charge against a weary Indian attack in the fourth Test. After the openers laid the foundation, the English middle-order capitalized in style, putting the visitors under significant pressure on Day 3 at Old Trafford.
