Shubman Gill rejects captaincy pressure ahead of Sri Lanka Tests

Shubman Gill rejected suggestions he was under pressure as he prepares to captain India in the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, with the first Test scheduled to begin at 10 AM IST on August 15 at Galle International Stadium.

India enter the series placed fifth on the World Test Championship 2025-27 table with a PCT of 48.15 and are seeking to improve that standing. Prior to the one-off Test against Afghanistan, India suffered a 0-2 whitewash at home to South Africa and drew a 2-2 series with England last year. Gill has scored 1,076 in 9 Tests since taking over the captaincy, compiling six centuries and one half-century. The team’s only Test series win under his captaincy to date came at home against the West Indies, and India have been a little inconsistent in Test cricket over the past few years.

At the pre-match press conference, Gill dismissed claims of captaincy pressure and said, "I am very comfortable with the captaincy role, and I think the way we have been, you know, progressing in the past one year… it has been very pleasing to see from my perspective. And I think we are taking all the right steps in the right direction." He denied that the leadership role was weighing on him while expressing satisfaction with recent progress.

Gill acknowledged the side’s inconsistency within the ongoing WTC cycle and stressed the importance of winning the upcoming series to remain in contention for the WTC final. India have nine more Test matches to play in the current cycle, a point Gill referenced when discussing the stakes of the Sri Lanka tour.

The upcoming Test in Galle will also represent India’s 600th Test match, and the milestone will see Gill join an elite list of Indian captains noted alongside Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (100th) and Virat Kohli (500th). That statistical milestone was highlighted in build-up commentary around the first Test.

Khel Now will cover the series and asked readers to follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join its community on Whatsapp & Telegram. The SL vs IND Test series will start on August 15 (Saturday).