With the IPL 2026 chapter complete, India’s attention has shifted to the traditional format as they gear up for a one-off Test against Afghanistan at Mohali. India are expected to begin as the favourites, but the contest arrives at a key moment for a team searching for steadier performances in red-ball cricket. After a difficult home Test series against South Africa, selection calls and on-field strategies drew heavy debate. Even so, Shubman Gill’s stint as captain offered some of the clearest positives from the season, despite his own frustrating run—he was forced to retire hurt in the first Test and then missed the second due to injury, which curtailed his overall impact.
Key takeaways
- India host Afghanistan in a one-off Test at Mohali after completing IPL 2026.
- Shubman Gill’s leadership was viewed as a bright spot, even though he lost time through injury during India’s Test stretch.
- Questions followed India’s home defeat to South Africa, focusing on both team selection and tactics.
- Gill’s captaincy work during India’s tour of England included guiding the side to a 2-2 draw in a five-match series.
- Former selector and wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes Gill can continue to drive Indian Test cricket forward after Virat Kohli.
- Ravichandran Ashwin pointed to Gill’s England success and technical refinements as signs of a lasting Test influence.
Gill’s captaincy promise and the England blueprint
While the immediate Test period brought frustration for Gill, his earlier captaincy spell on the England tour provided encouraging evidence of what he could bring to the longest format. After the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, India had to operate with a relatively new-look group, and Gill was tasked with leading that transition. Under his guidance, the team produced a hard-fought outcome of 2-2 in a five-match series, showing grit and adaptability across varied conditions.
The tour also stood out for the way younger contributors stepped up when the pressure rose, suggesting that Gill’s approach helped create clarity and belief within the dressing room. With Afghanistan now the next challenge, India will look to carry forward those positives from England and re-establish momentum in Test cricket.
What Saba Karim and Ravichandran Ashwin said about Gill
Former India wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim argued that Gill possesses both the skill set and the temperament to shape the next phase of Indian Test cricket. Karim highlighted Gill’s increasing comfort with red-ball demands and suggested the young captain could grow into a meaningful figure for the format within India in the years ahead, particularly following Virat Kohli’s retirement. Karim stressed that Gill’s ability to contribute as a Test batter with consistent performances shows he genuinely enjoys the challenges of the format.
Karim said, “He’s able to realise the value he can add as a Test batter. For him to compete and perform with that kind of consistency, it clearly shows that Shubman Gill relishes Test cricket. I think he can be a great ambassador after Virat Kohli.”
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also backed Gill’s rise, suggesting that his progress as both a Test batter and a captain could influence Indian cricket for a long time. Ashwin pointed to Gill’s productive tour of England and the technical changes he has made to his game. He also referenced Gill’s ability to deliver meaningful moments against strong opposition, including a century at Dharamsala during India’s time against England in India.
Ashwin said, “He had a great series in England. The moment he was made the captain, he went there, turned it on. Even when England had toured to India, he got a hundred at Dharamsala. High-quality player, has worked on keeping his bat close to the pads. His success in Test cricket will really start redefining India’s Test team.”
