Miyaan, will you be a captain? Before Dhoni famously told Danny Morrison in 2020, "definitely not," when he was asked if it was his last match for Chennai Super Kings, a somewhat iconic moment had taken place in 1990. It was back then that the selector Raj Singh Dungarpur had asked Mohammad Azharuddin a short but meaningful question just before announcing his appointment as captain of a young Indian side touring New Zealand. At the time, Azhar had captained Hyderabad in only two Ranji Trophy matches, and South Zone in as many Duleep Trophy games. Yet he was chosen to lead a new Indian side comprising several newcomers, including the late VB Chandrasekhar, and Gurcharan Singh. In a somewhat similar situation finds himself Shubman Gill, though unlike Azhar, he is not totally inexperienced. Azhar then captained India almost for a decade, with a short break during which Sachin Tendulkar took over. Gill, on the other hand, is no rookie. He has captained Punjab in domestic cricket, captained India 'A' in the Duleep Trophy, and Gujarat Titans in the IPL as well for two seasons. This year Gill has led from the front. He made 636 runs. Just two runs less than his opening partner B Sai Sudharsan (638)—as the Titans, in pursuit of the top two. His most outstanding performances and acute game sense allowed him to take over from Rohit Sharma as India's new Test captain when India intends to seize the reins. Now Gill enters a major new role facing one of the biggest challenges a first-time India Test captain may face. Not since Azhar's debut Test series (vs New Zealand) has a new captain started in such a tough environment. Granted, Virat Kohli’s first Test as captain was also overseas (in Adelaide in 2014), but he was replacing the injured Dhoni. A five-Test series in England is as challenging as it gets, perhaps only matched by a similar tour to Australia. That’s the reality ahead of Gill as he begins his role as India’s 37th Test captain. Gill’s basically steering a ship full of rookies when it comes to red-ball cricket. Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran? Haven’t even sniffed a Test cap yet. Karun Nair? Dude’s back from the wilderness after, what, seven years off the radar? Jaiswal’s still got that new-car smell—less than two years in the squad. If you’re hunting for experience, you’re kinda left with KL Rahul (sure, he’s seen 58 Tests), Pant (43, mostly a rollercoaster), and Jadeja, who’s closing in on his 100th. Gill? He’s not exactly an old hand himself with just 32 Tests under his belt. Basically, this batting crew’s still figuring out how to survive five days without losing their minds. Gill's leadership: What to expect moving forward On the bright side, India’s bowling doesn’t look like it’s gonna collapse anytime soon. Bumrah’s the main guy, obviously—seriously, the man’s a freak. Siraj brings the heat, Jadeja spins webs, you know the drill. But let’s not kid ourselves: the challenge is massive. Ben Stokes and his England squad are playing Test cricket like it’s a T20 party—no fear, all gas, no brakes. It’s gonna be wild. Also read: ‘There is no room for him’: Ajit Agarkar explains Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s Test squad Some folks are saying this is the weakest Indian squad to hit England since, what, 1932? Back when CK Nayudu dragged a bunch of rookies across the channel. Sure, the lineup’s a little green—especially with Rohit and Kohli waving goodbye to Test cricket. But calling them weak? Come on. Yeah, the batters haven’t racked up a ton of Test caps yet, so what? People act like they’ve never seen a first-class scorecard or watched these guys handle the IPL’s circus. And England’s so-called “Bazball” has made their pitches friendlier for the guys with the bats anyway. Look, the bowling attack is stacked, the kids are hungry, and honestly, nothing fires up an Indian cricketer like being called an underdog. Weak? Nah, I’m not buying it. Let’s just see how much crow these critics end up eating after Headingley.