'Very good under pressure, thinks well, is respected by his team' - Steve Waugh backs Shubman Gill to excel as India's Test captain

While some experts and fans have expressed their apprehensions after Shubman Gill was appointed India's new Test skipper, legendary former Australia captain Steve Waugh gave the Punjab batter a vote of confidence.

Shubman became India's 37th Test captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, who retired from the longest format on May 7. The 25-year-old became the fifth-youngest captain to lead the Indian Test side. He will begin his tenure with a tough tour of England, where the Asian giants will play five Tests against Ben Stokes and Co. This will mark the beginning of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for the Men in Blue.

Waugh hailed Shubman as an excellent player who thrives in pressure situations. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Shubman thinks well and is respected by his teammates. However, he urged the stakeholders of Indian cricket to give the right-handed batter some time to grow into the new role.

"But they're in good hands. Shubham Gill is an excellent player. Very good under pressure. Thinks well. He's respected by his team, so he'll be a good choice, but you've got to give him time to grow into the role. It's a big responsibility. Representing 1.4 to 1.5 billion people. A lot of pressure," Waugh was quoted as saying by India Today.

Shubman has been a run machine for India in ODI cricket, amassing 2,775 runs from 55 matches at an average of 59.04. However, his Test numbers are not as impressive. In 32 Tests, he has managed 1,893 runs at an average of 35.06. His average in SENA countries is an abysmal 25.70. While there is plenty of talent in the Firozpur-born, it hasn't always come to the fore in the red-ball format.

Shubman has led India in five T20Is so far. Under his leadership, a young Indian side defeated Zimbabwe 4-1 in a T20I series in Harare last year. The right-handed batter is currently leading the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The former champions have made it to the playoffs with nine wins and five defeats from 14 matches.