Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has put his weight behind Shubman Gill as captain ahead of the five-match Test series against England. Gill has been handed over the Test captaincy baton after Rohit Sharma’s retirement and the 25-year-old would look to lead from the front.

The youngster recently led Gujarat Titans to IPL 2025 playoffs but there is no doubt that leading India in Test cricket will be a different ball game altogether. However, Gill averages 25 outside the subcontinent and he would need to turn the tables. The right-hander has scored 88 runs in three Test matches in English conditions and he would need to improve his record against England.

“Shubman knows how to lead a team. He has worked under the seniors in the last couple of years. In the last one year, you’d have seen him in a lot of discussions with Rohit bhai – not only in Tests but even in ODIs. I’m sure he has learned a lot, but as a leader, from what I have seen so far, he’s very motivated and he’s been playing an active role in lifting the team,” Kuldeep Yadav said in a press conference on Sunday.

“I have seen over the last three-four sessions that Shubman has the same qualities that I’ve seen in our previous leadership groups. He’s fully ready to lead us,” he went on to add.

Yadav feels there would be good pitches for the spinners in the upcoming five-match series.

“It seems like there will be good wickets for spinners. The wicket for the practice match was good for batting. There was some light moisture on the first day, and the seamers got some help, but as the game went on, I felt there was some bounce for the spinners.”

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20 onwards.