"Young Or Matured...": Ignored India Star Cheteshwar Pujara's Big Verdict On Shubman Gill Becoming Test Captain

Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday said it will be a challenge for a youngster like Shubman Gill to captain India in tough conditions in England but a big opportunity and confidence booster for him if he achieves success as a leader in the marquee series. Gill was named new Test captain on Saturday, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The move officially began a new era in the Indian red-ball set-up after the shock retirements of Rohit and Virat Kohli. Rohit and Kohli announced their Test retirements within a span of one week this month.

"When you go abroad as a captain, whether you are young or matured, it will be challenging. To start off in England, it won't be easy for Shubman but it's a great opportunity for a young player. If he leads well in England it will boost his confidence.

"The reason he has been given the responsibility ahead of Jasprit Bumrah is because we are hearing that Bumrah will not be able to play all five Test matches," Pujara said on Sunday during an online interaction organised by Sony Sports network, the official broadcaster of India's tour of England.

"So if Shubman has been given the responsibility, the team management and selectors are thinking that he could lead the team for a long time." The 37-year-old Pujara, who is yet to announce Test retirement after last playing for India in June 2023, advised Gill to keep captaincy and his batting separate.

"There is also a lot of responsibility on him as a batter but I'm sure the kind of talent he has he will be successful in England. It will definitely motivate him to perform well. I don't know whether being a captain it will bring the best out of him but as a batter he has always tried to perform well for the team.

"When you are playing as a batter at