Shubman Gill vs MS Dhoni: How can Gill lead team India's Test revival like Dhoni once did?

Following the retirement of veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket, Shubman Gill has been named the new captain of the Indian team in the longest format. The retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin and the duo means the current Indian team to undergo a period of transition, with a lot of burden falling on the shoulders of the current Indian captain.

Something similar happened when India saw the retirement of veterans like Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, and others, leading to the inclusion of new players for India under the new leadership of MS Dhoni. Back in time, India scaled new heights in Test cricket under Dhoni in the first 3 years of his captaincy. Gill has a similar challenge ahead of him, which will start from India's series against England.

Here are the ways in which Gill can lead India's Test revival like Dhoni did

1. Inclusion of new talents to replace the retired ones

When India lost senior players like Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble, with Harbhajan Singh slowly getting past his prime, Dhoni introduced new talents like Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in the side. He also went with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who went on to become India's greatest spin duo and dominate almost a decade in the red-ball format.

Gill must do the same in the absence of Rohit, Virat, and Ashwin. While Rohit's replacement for the short term is KL Rahul, a long-term plan could be to get Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran in the XI. For Virat, Gill becomes an automatic replacement at Number 4 as the team's stroke-maker, but Karun Nair can also be a viable option in the coming times.

Tanush Kotian has shown great promise in the India A series against England Lions, who could be a like-for-like replacement of Ashwin. Along with Kuldeep Yadav, he can form a good spin bowling duo at home and can also be on the team's away tours.

2. Bring the glory of the home fortress back

India had not lost a single series from 2012 to 2024, until they did against New Zealand, which was more of an embarrassment than a one-off series loss. India had never lost a series 0-3 at home until New Zealand did in 2024. Even under Dhoni, India experienced a series loss at home to England in the 2012/13 series.

However, India bounced back under Dhoni. After losing to England, India clean swept against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home. They also beat teams like the West Indies, New Zealand, and other visiting teams. There's a need for Gill to bring the glory of the strong fortress back to the Indian soil.

Against New Zealand, Indian batters did not perform well or even at par of their expectations. It is time to play those batters who have a sound technique against spin and execute well. With Ashwin gone and Jadeja on the twilight in Tests, the team's spin attack could revolve around Kotian, Kuldeep, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel.

Start winning series away from home

When Dhoni took over captaincy from Anil Kumble, India won the series against the BlackCaps in New Zealand in 2009. It was India's first win in New Zealand since beating them for the first time in 1967. Dhoni's major achievement away from home was drawing the series against South Africa in 2010.

The draw against the prime South African side was greater than winning against a pretty depleted Kiwi side. India also beat the West Indies in their backyard. India did fall under Dhoni's captaincy in Tests, especially from 2012. However, Gill can take positives from what Dhoni and his men achieved in the first 2–3 years of his captaincy.

To win away from home, there's a need to have a great bowling line-up. India's bowling is heavily dependent on Jasprit Bumrah. There is a need to back the likes of Prasidh Krishna and others, who can be India's assets in the pace attack. Backing batters to come good and eventually witnessing success could make India a force to reckon with away from home.

3. Take India back to No. 1 Test rankings 

When Dhoni took over India's Test captaincy, India were the second-ranked Test team. However, he became the first skipper to oversee India topping the Test rankings. India remained at the top of the rankings for a fair period of time, for the entire 2009, which helped India to claim the Test mace for the first time in history.

Gill must aim to do the same, considering India's current Test rankings. Gill is in a far worse situation compared to Dhoni, as India is currently placed in the fourth spot in the Test rankings. While India can go to the second spot in a quick time, it will take some beating to bring Australia down, who are currently at the top of the Test rankings comfortably.

4. Reclaim the Test mace by winning the World Test Championship

Back in time, finishing the end of a cricket calendar year as the best-ranked Test team guaranteed the Test mace for the teams. As a result, India claimed the Test mace from November 2009 to August 2011. For 21 months straight, they were the top-ranked side under Dhoni with the best rating of 126.

Things have changed a lot since then. In 2019, the concept of the World Test Championship was introduced for the first time, where the top two teams enter the final after a cycle of roighly two years. India made it to the final in the 2019-21 and the 2021–23 cycles, only to lose the mace in the final on both occasions to New Zealand and Australia, respectively.

Gill will have the challenge of winning the World Test Championship. Doing so would help India to win the Test mace for the first time since May 2020. If India can enter the final in the upcoming 2025-27 cycle, they have a good chance to win the mace, as the final is likely to take place in India. It would help Gill's legacy along with India's revival in the longest format of the game.

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