Shubman Gill has taken his first step in the direction of India vs England Test series which is going to start on June 20. Gill is looking for a spot in the India A squad as an opportunity to get back his touch in red-ball games. His earlier tours of England were not very successful and his performance had not been very impressive there so he seemed very keen to make amends this time around. In the IANS report, Gill was noticed in Ahmedabad wherein he was playing with the red ball instead of the white ball. The latter is similar to the strategy that Indian players adopted in 2013 and 2011 when they entered the Test match game even though the IPL was still going on, and it was competent for the World Test Championship Final at that time. Having been one of the first teams to get a ticket to the playoffs in IPL 2025, Gill doesn't really need to devote a lot of time to T20 preparations anymore. He not only has been in an impressive form but also has the time to change his approach to Test cricket again. Shubman Gill eyes England challenge amidst IPL blitz, practices with red ball! #England #TestSeries #IPL2025 #IANS #Ahemdabad pic.twitter.com/k0s7zJwx4X — Chetan Vashisht (@chetan0711) May 21, 2025 Gill is also a contender to replace Rohit Sharma as India's next Test captain. He is also the captain of GT and vice-captain in white-ball cricket. He seems to be working on his captaincy in advance, which could either mean the BCCI already told him, or he just wants to show he is ready. Read also: Pat Cummins Carries Marsh Cutout After SRH Win vs LSG If the BCCI is still considering Gill, KL Rahul, Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant, Gill has already outplayed them mentally with his planning. Whether he gets appointed captain or not, Gill is all-in, and his focus and commitment will mean good things for the team. With Rohit and Kohli gone on the tour, Gill and others have to step and really take the mantle. Gill's stats haven't gone to expectations in Tests averaging 35, but for a player like him that's unacceptable. He is now in his prime, and he and India can only hope they can deliver in England and he will establish he is worth it at the highest level of the sport.