Third-Most Influential After PM: Jos Buttler's Bold Statement On Shubman Gill's Test Captaincy

Shubman Gill, at 25, steps into the spotlight as India's youngest Test captain, leading a new-era team against England while carrying the legacy of legends like Kohli and Tendulkar.

As India gears up for a historic Test series against England, beginning June 20 at Headingley, the spotlight isn't just on cricket—it’s squarely on Shubman Gill, the 25-year-old prodigy now leading a new-generation Indian side into unfamiliar waters. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bowing out of the red-ball format, a new era dawns under Gill’s captaincy. And expectations are sky-high.

Jos Buttler’s Big Statement: “Gill Is Among India’s Most Influential Figures”

In a recent podcast with Stuart Broad, England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who shares dressing room space with Gill at Gujarat Titans in the IPL, didn’t mince words while praising Gill.

“Captaining India in Tests is like being the third or fourth-most influential person in the country—behind the Prime Minister,” Buttler remarked, underlining the gravity of Gill’s new responsibility.

This might sound exaggerated, but in a cricket-obsessed nation with over 1.4 billion passionate fans, the sentiment isn’t far from reality. The aura of being India’s Test captain has long extended beyond the pitch, into socio-cultural reverence.

India’s Youngest Test Leader Since Kapil Dev

Gill’s appointment as captain comes at a transitional time. With stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket, the Indian dressing room now resembles a fertile ground of raw, hungry talent looking for direction. That compass now points to Shubman.

A fluent strokemaker with leadership pedigree—Gill has captained Gujarat Titans in two IPL seasons—the Punjab batter is no stranger to pressure. Yet, Test captaincy is a different beast, a format that demands mental fortitude, tactical nuance, and relentless consistency.

Stepping Into the Number 4 Cauldron: The Tendulkar-Kohli Legacy

Arguably, the most symbolic shift in this series will be Gill batting at No. 4—a position once ruled by legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. It’s more than just a batting spot; it’s a mantle of greatness.

“Kohli is the king, Gill is the prince,” Buttler quipped, echoing a widely held belief in Indian cricketing circles.

But the prince must now prove he's ready to wear the crown, especially in the hostile English conditions where India’s best have often faltered.

Leadership Duality: Compartmentalizing Bat and Brain

One of the most insightful takeaways from Buttler’s podcast was Gill’s self-awareness. The young skipper reportedly spoke about compartmentalising leadership and batting—a method to avoid being overwhelmed.

“He wants to bat as a batter and captain as a captain,” said Buttler. “He’s trying to separate the two roles so one doesn’t consume the other.”

This psychological maturity could be Gill’s biggest asset as he navigates a high-pressure, five-Test series that could define his career trajectory.

India’s Transition: Opportunity in Crisis

India’s current squad is a blend of emerging stars—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Mukesh Kumar—and seasoned performers like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. But without Kohli and Rohit, the psychological void is vast. Gill will have to instill belief, not just tactics, in his teammates.

England, under Ben Stokes, are expected to bring their aggressive ‘Bazball’ blueprint, testing India’s discipline and resilience. For Gill, this isn't just about runs and results—it's about narrative building, shaping the legacy of a new Indian side on foreign soil.