India, June 19 -- As India prepare to begin a new Test era without stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill, who steps into the leadership role at just 25. With a Test average of 35.05 from 32 matches, Gill's red-ball journey is still in its early days. But with five Tests against England on their turf, beginning June 20 at Headingley, the challenge ahead is as steep as it gets.

In the backdrop of India's 17-year-long wait for a Test series win in England, Gill inherits not just the captaincy but the weight of a transition. While he's shown elegance and composure with the bat, this is the first time he will be tested under prolonged scrutiny in the longest format, both tactically and temperamentally.

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