The transition period of the Indian Test squad, which has accelerated dramatically with the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, has been entrusted to Shubman Gill. When he takes the team onto the field for the series opener against England at Headingley (Leeds) on June 20, Gill, 25, will become the sixth youngest Indian to captain a Test squad. The gifted top-order batsman has commanded India in Twenty20 Internationals and is their chosen vice-captain in limited-overs cricket, but this will be his first leadership position in Test cricket.

Manoj Tiwary, a former cricket player for India, thinks none of the players chosen for the England visit will start. He implies that Gill was selected as captain as the “second-best” choice because of Jasprit Bumrah’s injury worries.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has not provided an official explanation, but according to a number of publications, Bumrah’s injury history and his possible inability to play in several Test matches during the England trip were the main factors in his exclusion as captain.

“Shubman Gill has been named Test captain, as expected,” Tiwary said on Cricbuzz. But as of right now, no player gets selected automatically for India’s Test team. Prior to them (selectors), Gill was the second-best choice. Thus, he was appointed captain for that reason. No one on the current Test squad has a permanent position. He was (name) the second-best option.

Tiwary went on to say that Gill’s Test average did not yet merit a spot in the starting lineup. He thinks Gill was only picked by the selectors because he was the next best applicant.

“If you consider his average… How can someone whose spot in the starting lineup is uncertain be appointed captain? He was the second-best choice, which is why. They have invested in him for that reason,” he said.

Rishabh Pant, who is both a batsman and wicketkeeper, will be Gill’s deputy as captain. The next ICC World Test Championship cycle will likewise start with the England visit.