On Saturday, a significant milestone was reached in Indian Test cricket as Shubman Gill was appointed the 37th captain of the national Test team. The talented right-handed batsman is set to lead India in a five-match Test series against England, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant serving as his vice-captain. This change follows Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket and Virat Kohli's departure from the format, signaling a notable generational transition in the team's leadership.

The announcement was made via social media, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced Gill as the new captain.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized that Gill's selection was a strategic move for the future, stating, "You don't pick captains for just one or two tours. We want to invest in a leader who can guide us moving forward." He acknowledged the challenges of leading a five-match series in England but expressed confidence in Gill's capabilities.

Fans have taken to social media to celebrate Gill's appointment, viewing it as the dawn of an exciting new chapter for Indian cricket. His calm demeanor and maturity have been praised, reflecting his growth across various formats.

Social media has been abuzz with reactions to Gill's new role. Supporters are optimistic about the future, with many expressing their enthusiasm for the 'Gill Era' in Indian Test cricket.

"Shubman Gill is the new Indian Test captain! A new chapter begins on June 20th." - Johns (@CricCrazyJohns)

The squad announcement also highlighted the inclusion of young left-hander B Sai Sudharsan, who earned his first Test call-up following impressive domestic performances. Additionally, Karun Nair makes a surprising return to the Test team after a seven-year absence.

However, the absence of senior pacer Mohammed Shami was notable, with Agarkar citing fitness issues as the reason for his exclusion. He stated, "His workload is not where it needs to be. We were hoping he would be available, but unfortunately, he is not fully fit."

The selectors also decided to leave out Harshit Rana and Sarfaraz Khan, who were part of the squad for the recent Australian tour.

The squad for the England tour includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K L Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.

With a blend of youth and experience, and a fresh leader at the forefront, India is poised to tackle the challenges of the English summer and embark on a new journey in Test cricket.