Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill’s new leadership role ahead of India’s highly anticipated five-Test series against England. As the young opener gears up to lead India in challenging English conditions, Ganguly emphasized the need for Gill to sharpen his batting and show resilience, especially when the ball is moving around.

Speaking on the technical demands of English pitches, Sourav Ganguly said, “He needs to score more runs in these conditions, where the ball seams and swings. It won’t be easy with the new ball. There’s a big difference between walking in at 100 for 2 versus 20 for 4, so getting his defence solid and learning how to leave balls outside off-stump will be crucial.”

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Ganguly, who famously scored a debut Test century at Lord’s, explained that batting in England requires a specific skill set. Unlike Australia or South Africa, where a batter can survive off the back foot, the English conditions demand proactive footwork and a tight technique.

“In England, you’ve got to be on the front foot much more. It’s not like Australia or South Africa, where back-foot play gives you some leeway,” he explained. “In places like England and New Zealand, swing and seam are constant threats, so solid front-foot defence is your best friend.”

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He also stressed the importance of starting well in a session. “You’ve got to fight in those key periods – the first hour, right after lunch, or after tea. You can’t afford to be 50 for 4 in the opening phase. If you’re 50 for 1, you’re in control. That’s the foundation for winning a Test match. That’s where India needs to be, and that’s what Shubman must understand as a leader.”