India captain Shubman Gill has described leading the national team as a dream come true, admitting that captaining India in front of his home crowd makes the occasion even more special. The young skipper is set to lead the side in the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, marking another significant milestone in his rapidly growing international career. India will begin their red-ball season with a standalone Test against Afghanistan on June 6.
Although the fixture does not carry World Test Championship points, Gill believes it remains an important contest as India look to build momentum ahead of a demanding Test calendar later this year. Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI, Gill reiterated his love for Test cricket, calling it the most rewarding format of the game. The 26-year-old explained that success in whites brings him the greatest sense of satisfaction as a cricketer and continues to hold a special place in his heart.
“For me, this is the most satisfying format. If you do well in this format, that is how I feel most good about myself. The feel of wearing the whites, wearing the baggy cap,” Shubman Gill said. “Nothing beats that; it’s the traditional way, the OG way of playing cricket,” he added.
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The transition from IPL cricket to the longest format presents a unique challenge for India’s players. Having spent the last two months competing in high-intensity T20 matches, the squad now faces the task of adapting to the patience, discipline, and physical demands required in Test cricket.
Gill acknowledged that switching formats is never easy, particularly given the contrasting conditions. While IPL matches are played under lights, Test cricket demands long hours in the heat, making both physical and mental adjustments essential.
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“The weather is very different. You play T20 at night and now it’s almost 40 degrees, so there are a lot of mental challenges that come into play. Apart from the technical adjustments, adapting to this format is what makes Test cricket so special and respected around the world,” Shubman Gill explained.
For Gill, however, the biggest honour remains leading India. Having grown up playing cricket in Punjab, the opportunity to captain the national side at a venue close to home carries added significance.
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“To be able to lead my country, I always dreamt about playing for India, let alone leading the country. It’s a huge privilege for me to do it here in front of my home crowd where I grew up playing,” Shubman Gill said. As India prepare for the Afghanistan Test, Gill’s focus will be on guiding a new-look side while continuing to strengthen the team’s foundation for the challenges that lie ahead.
