Kapil Dev backs captain Shubman Gill to excel on England tour

Legendary Kapil Dev has put his weight behind Shubman Gill to find success on the upcoming England tour as a leader. Gill has been backed by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel as a captain for the five-match Test series against England.

Gill has an average of 35 in the red-ball version whereas he has a mundane average of 25 while playing outside the subcontinent. The youngster has been leading Gujarat Titans from the front in the ongoing season, leading the franchise to the playoffs.

“This is a new assignment, and I only look at the positive side of it. It does not matter what his average was in the previous tour to England. Let us not talk negative. He has been picked based on his potential, and I know he would excel,” Kapil told Sportstar.

Kapil believes the youngster will learn Test leadership with experience as he has never led in the red-ball version.

“It won’t be easy. It is never easy in England and Australia, but someone must take responsibility. Gill is the man suited to assume the role of a leader. The selectors have weighed all the strong points and made him the captain with a purpose, a long-term investment. He will need the support of the team and the fans. He is young and will learn to give his best and bring the best out of the boys,” Kapil said.

As a young Indian team will travel to England without stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Dev said it would be good for the side as the expectations won’t be lofty.

“It is good the expectations are not high because the team is young,” Kapil said. “It will help Gill and his team. It is sometimes better to be underdogs. You can perform better. For me, Gill is a player ready to take on the world. With support from (Jasprit) Bumrah, I am sure Gill will emerge as a strong captain.”

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.