- June 19, 2025
There’s a certain magic that comes with the build-up to a Test series—there’s something almost special about it, especially in England with its cloudy skies and green-topped wickets, but now, as India prepares for five Tests, it’s not just the Dukes ball or the slip cordon that has everyone’s attention. The main talking point is the appointment of Shubman Gill as captain. Not just as a stylish batter but as a new captain stepping into the furnace of Test cricket captaincy. His major test? Making sure India still remembers how to do the one thing that wins Tests—take 20 wickets.
The 20-Wicket Philosophy: A Forgotten Art?
When Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were calling the shots, India had a simple approach: select bowlers who would win you matches. No problems there, even if it meant the XI was a bowler short and had to rely on the batsman-folk to extract runs. And it would work. India’s success rate in Tests away from Asia was higher between 2018 and 2022 when they opted for four seamers.
When we went to Australia recently, that clarity seemed to be lacking. The fear of being 120/6 and having a long tail meant that India often compromised on bowling aggression to satisfy batting depth. The outcome? An exhausted Bumrah is doing the heavy-lifting, with spinners adding little on a pitch that offered little life, and part-timers like Nitish Reddy are used rarely. India bowled well in Australia as a bowling group, but they were ultimately toothless with the old ball.
The Thakur Factor: Comfort vs Courage
If India means to go back to their wicket-hunting ways, then they ought to re-embrace the all-rounder gamble—and here is Shardul Thakur. After a standout Ranji campaign, claiming 35 wickets at 22.62, Thakur’s form and fitness make him a strong candidate to balance the side. The presence of Thakur at No. 8 gives security and, as England made abundantly clear (of course), Thakur possesses the golden ability to break partnerships.
However, England knows this. Remember Edgbaston 2022? Their strategy focused on taking Thakur out of the equation. If Headingley offers similar treatment, the pressure will build— not just on Thakur, but Gill’s faith in backing five bowlers even when it isn’t clicking right away – will be tested.
Captain Gill’s Litmus Test
This isn’t purely about selection. It’s about identity. The first chapter of India’s transition after Kohli was full of whispers of conservatism—playing safe, protecting the tail, hoping the six batters do enough. That won’t win matches in England.
The series is a great opportunity for India, given that Bumrah is only available for three Tests and there are no experienced English pacers other than Chris Woakes. Gill must show he is not afraid to play aggressive, risk-taking cricket. If Thakur concedes 20 runs in his first over, or India is 160/6 on Day 1, will Gill follow through on the plan, or succumb to a safety-first approach?
His decisions cannot simply be evaluated on results, but also on what evidence of intent – is India about 20 wickets still?
As summer approaches, we will be asked to consider something bigger than cover drives or turning tracks; we will be considering intent. Will Shubman Gill revert to India’s most useful tactic in overseas conditions, or will he play conservatively? To be discovered in time. But, if India wants to win in England, then there is no choice – in Test cricket, you have to get 20 wickets, or you are always playing catch-up.
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