On 26th December 2020, 5 years ago, Shubman Gill debuted in Test cricket for India against Australia, at the famous MCG. He was only a 21-year-old boy who began fulfilling his dreams; he was apprehensive, and he confronted the Australian pace attack at their home ground. Back then, few people imagined that one day the youngster from Fazilka, Punjab would lead Team India from the front and would break the records in England, where even legends have failed sometimes.
The dreamy debut in Australia:
Shubman Gill made his debut in Test cricket for India, during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the first innings, he scored 45 runs in just 65 balls with a strike rate of 69.23. He missed his maiden test half-century by just 5 runs. His maiden test half-century came in Sydney in their third test. At the Gabba, Australia was unbeaten for the last 32 years till 2020, the actual Gilly magic came. Gill’s fearless 91 runs set up one of India’s most famous Test victories. That day, a new test hero was born.
The rollercoaster ride of Gill’s test cricket journey:
After his dreamy debut in Australia, he had to face a lot of ups and downs, and he had to face several hurdles- injuries, inconsistency, and intense competition for the opening slot. Even at some point, Gill’s Test career appeared to be in a state of uncertainty. Trollers trolled him for his off-form, critics whispered that this guy is not made for red ball cricket. After two years of his test debut, in 2022, Gill made his maiden Test century against Bangladesh. Gill was preparing himself for the long run, gaining the mental toughness required for the game’s longest format.
From Trolls to Test Captain: The Ultimate Journey of Resilience, Strength, and Self-Belief
Last May, one of the two main pillars of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, retired. India was looking for a new captain, a shoulder of faith to carry the legacy of Indian Test cricket. On May 24, the BCCI selected Shubman Gill as India’s new Test Captain. Gill was given the Test captaincy for India’s tour of England, a series that India hadn’t won away in decades.
Since then, the trolls have been on the rise – from his stats to his tone of voice, critics have been trolling him for everything. Despite all the criticism, he remained silent, took the captaincy on his shoulders, and waited to respond with his own game. He scored a century in his debut match as captain, scoring 147 runs off 227 balls. He proved that the captaincy was in the right hands.
Despite losing the first Test, he did not give up. On the first day of the first innings of the second Test match, he scored his second century of the test series and scored a double century on the second day, proving why netizens call him “Prince”.
The new leader: The new Era of Indian Test Cricket
Gill runs or his records do distinguish him but it is his cool temper, quiet character, and strength which separates him.His teammates often praised him for his ability to make calm decisions and uplift the mood in the dressing room. Gill leads with ease, a sign of the trend towards contemporary success with the classic charm of Test cricket, when aggression is often used as a leadership trait.
Hopefully, Gill will continue his pace in the future as well. “Prince” Gill is slowly moving towards becoming a “King”. Showing millions of youngsters the dream that indomitable determination, courage, and hard work can bring success, he is becoming a role model for the new generation.
He once said, ” Just because fate doesn’t deal you the right cards, doesn’t mean you stop dreaming” and he is fulfilling his words. The young lad who, as a debutant, started his career in test cricket at the MCG is now standing tall in Edgbaston, leading team India from the front.
This is just the beginning. Welcome to the Gill era.
Soureesh Datta 
Tanya Singh
Very good writing,the details are too accurate