Indian cricket is stepping into a new era. With Shubman Gill set to captain India in the upcoming Test series against England, the team is preparing for a transition.
At just 25 years and 258 days old, Gill will walk out at Headingley on June 20 as India’s newest and one of the youngest Test captains. Rohit Sharma captained India in 24 Tests before retiring from the longest format earlier this month.
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Gill’s elevation was widely expected - especially with selectors signalling a long-term vision. As India enters a new phase, it's worth revisiting the youngest players who have held this prestigious responsibility.
Who was the youngest ever Test captain for India?
The record still belongs to Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who was just 21 years and 77 days old when he captained India against the West Indies in 1962. He quickly earned the nickname “Tiger” and is remembered as a pioneer of modern Indian cricket.
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How young was Sachin Tendulkar when he became India Test captain?
Sachin Tendulkar became India’s captain at 23 years and 169 days. He led India in a home Test against Australia in Delhi in 1996. His stint as captain didn’t yield great results but he remained the team’s batting backbone for decades.
Top 5 youngest Test captains in Indian cricket team's history
Let's take a look at the top 5 list below:
| Player | Age | Opponent | Venue | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi | 21 years, 77 days | West Indies | Bridgetown | March 23, 1962 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 23 years, 169 days | Australia | Delhi | October 10, 1996 |
| Kapil Dev | 24 years, 48 days | West Indies | Kingston | February 23, 1983 |
| Ravi Shastri | 25 years, 229 days | West Indies | Chennai | January 11, 1988 |
| Shubman Gill | 25 years, 258 days | England | Leeds | June 20, 2025 |
Can Shubman Gill handle the pressure?
According to chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the team has been grooming Gill for captaincy for over a year.
"Last year or so we have looked at Shubman (for leadership)... it is a high pressure job but he is a terrific player," Agarkar said after announcing the squad.
Gill will have Rishabh Pant as the vice-captain - a move Agarkar said made sense because "a wicketkeeper can see the game well."