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Shubman Gill has made a sensational start to life as India\u2019s Test captain, but former skipper Sourav Ganguly has warned that tougher days lie ahead. Speaking at Eden Gardens during a media interaction on his 53rd birthday, Ganguly praised Gill\u2019s form but reminded everyone that the real challenge of captaincy begins when the pressure starts to build.<\/p>\n
Ganguly, who returned from England earlier in the day, addressed the media at a small celebration in Kolkata. Reflecting on Gill\u2019s performances<\/strong>, he called this period a \u201choneymoon phase\u201d and added that the weight of leadership would soon begin to show.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the best I\u2019ve seen him bat…But as captain, expectations grow with each match. The pressure will come,\u201d Ganguly said.<\/p>\n Gill has been in superb form in the ongoing series against England. In just two Tests, he has scored 585 runs at an average of 146.25. This saw the India skipper hit a double century in his 269 knock in the first innings, and followed it up another century in his 161-knock in the Edgbaston Test. His efforts paved the way for India to their dominant 336-run win in the second Test, and bury the memories of the Headingley loss by leveling the series 1-1.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old is now just 18 runs away from breaking Rahul Dravid\u2019s 2002 record for most runs by an Indian in a Test series in England, where he scored 602 runs. He is also within striking distance of Australia legend Don Bradman\u2019s record for most runs by a captain in a Test series, 810 runs set during the 1936\u201337 Ashes. Gill needs 225 more runs in the remaining three matches to rewrite that record.<\/p>\n Despite the excitement surrounding Gill\u2019s form, Ganguly offered a word of caution.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just 1-1 in the series. India have done well, but they\u2019ll need to start from scratch at Lord\u2019s,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The current Indian squad is without senior names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, and the younger players have stepped up in their absence. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Akash Deep have all made key contributions across both Tests so far.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always someone ready to step in,\u201d Ganguly said, referring to India\u2019s rich pool of players. \u201cFrom Gavaskar and Kapil to Tendulkar and Dravid, and now Kohli and Gill Indian cricket always finds its next star.\u201d Looking ahead to the third Test at Lord\u2019s, Ganguly highlighted the importance of pitch conditions in team selection. He suggested Kuldeep Yadav should play if the surface is dry, while a greener pitch would favour India\u2019s pace attack.<\/p>\n As India prepares for the third Test at the iconic Lord’s stadium, all eyes remain on Gill, not just as a batter, but as a leader.<\/p>\n – Ends<\/p>\n