Shubman Gill ditches IPL spotlight to sharpen red-ball skills for England series

As Gujarat Titans gear up for their penultimate league fixture against Lucknow Super Giants, skipper Shubman Gill is already looking beyond the IPL. With India’s challenging five-match Test tour of England on the horizon, Gill has begun red-ball preparations even amid the high-stakes T20 action.

Gill, who has led Gujarat Titans with distinction this season, has steered the franchise to the summit of the IPL 2025 points table. With nine wins from 12 matches, the Titans became the first team to seal a spot in the playoffs and now aim to cement a top-two finish with a strong showing against a struggling LSG side.

However, amid his IPL commitments, Gill was recently seen training with a red ball, a clear sign that he has his eyes set on the Test series in England, scheduled to begin next month. The 24-year-old opener was spotted fine-tuning his technique during a Titans training session, using the opportunity to balance short-format duties with longer-format preparations.

Shubman Gill practiced with red ball today in the nets for the England Test tour. (IANS).

– Shubman is Coming to Roar in England. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kGj7XEwRMp

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 21, 2025

His red-ball practice session gains added significance as the BCCI is reportedly considering him for India’s Test captaincy. With Rohit Sharma announcing his retirement from Test cricket earlier this month, Gill has emerged as a potential successor to lead the side in what will be a new chapter in India’s red-ball journey.

However, Gill’s recent Test form is a cause for concern. During India’s 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia, he managed only 93 runs across five innings in three matches, averaging just 18.60. As India prepares for the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, starting with the England series, the spotlight will be on Gill to rediscover his red-ball rhythm.

The much-anticipated series against England will kick off at Headingley in Leeds from June 20 to 24. The five-Test series is not only a crucial overseas challenge but also marks the start of India’s 2025–27 WTC campaign. A strong start will be vital, and Gill’s role, whether as a senior batter or potentially as captain, will be pivotal to India’s fortunes.

Before that, Gill will return to lead Gujarat Titans against Lucknow Super Giants at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 22.

This article first appeared on Mid Day