Indian cricket fans woke up to an emotional storm as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two titans of modern cricket, announced their retirement from red-ball formats. Their departure marked the end of an era and the beginning of something exciting: a new chapter under 25-year-old Shubman Gill.

The baton has officially been passed. Now, all eyes are on the young prince of Indian cricket to lead the nation into the next golden era of red-ball dominance.

The End of an Iconic Era: Kohli & Rohit Step Down

The retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. For over a decade, they were the pillars of Indian batting:

Rohit, with his dominant batting and mastermind captaincy.

Virat, the fierce chaser and heartbeat of India’s never-say-die spirit.

Together, they carried Indian cricket through unforgettable wins, heartbreaks, and milestones.

Their exit created a leadership vacuum, and fans asked the big question:
Who will carry India forward in red-ball cricket?

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Why Shubman Gill as Captain?

Despite the presence of seasoned campaigners like Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, the selectors chose Shubman Gill to lead India's red-ball team. Many fans were surprised, but here's why it might be a masterstroke:

1. Youth + Experience

At 25, Gill is young, but not raw. He's played over 100 international games and has already led Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2025 playoffs. His maturity, calmness, and decision-making under pressure stood out.

2. Long-Term Vision

The BCCI isn't just planning for a series or two; they're planning for the next 5-7 years. By giving the reins to Gill now, they're building a long-term project, much like they once did with a young MS Dhoni.

3. A New Age of Cricket

Modern red-ball cricket needs calmness, flexibility, and fitness. Gill embodies this modern mindset, aggressive with the bat, calm in pressure situations, and a smart leader on the field.

Gill’s First Challenge Without the Giants

The first true test of Shubman Gill's captaincy begins now, with no Rohit Sharma, no Virat Kohli in the squad. The Test series against England marks the official start of the post-Kohli-Rohit era.

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BCCI released the Test Squad for the upcoming England Test Series with a few new faces:

Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.

Ahead of the five-Test series against England, India will participate in a practice game against India ‘A’ in Beckenham.

Can Gill Deliver?

A new era begins as India kicks off the next Test Championship cycle with Shubman Gill at the helm and a refreshed lineup. Will he be the one to guide India to the ultimate Test triumph?

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